Latest news with #MatthewPinfold
CTV News
4 days ago
- CTV News
14-year-old charged in deadly stabbing of Toronto senior makes court appearance
A Toronto teen charged with second-degree murder in the deadly stabbing of a 71-year-old woman last week appeared in court Monday. The 14-year-old defendant, who was briefly identified by police by way of a judicial authorization prior to his arrest on Sunday, was dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit as he was spoken to via video link at a Toronto courtroom. Toronto police were called to a commercial plaza near Parkway Forest Drive and Sheppard Avenue East, just west of Highway 404, for a report of a stabbing on the morning of Thursday, July 17. There, officers located a 71-year-old woman who had been stabbed. She was transported to hospital where she was pronounced dead. The suspect fled the scene prior to the arrival of police. Police have identified the victim as Shahnaz Pestonji. They said she was loading groceries into her car before she was stabbed. Initially, police described the attack as 'unprovoked,' but as the investigation unfolded, they said they now believe the stabbing was precipitated by an attempted robbery. 'Through reviewing the video surveillance, speaking with witnesses, and observing the person's movements prior to the attack, we believe that the person intended to rob Mrs. Pestonji,' Det. Matthew Pinfold said Friday, as police identified and released an image of the suspect. The court order to identify the suspect has expired, meaning their identity cannot be released under the terms of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The case has been adjourned until July 28. With files from Beth Macdonell
Vancouver Sun
7 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Toronto police seek 14-year-old suspect in fatal stabbing of senior in parking lot
TORONTO — A 14-year-old boy is suspected of fatally stabbing a senior in a Toronto parking lot as she loaded groceries into her car, police said Friday. The teen is still at large and considered dangerous, police said. Investigators said the attack on 71-year-old Shahnaz Pestonji appears to have started out as a robbery at a North York parking lot on Thursday morning. 'We now believe that this was a robbery that escalated into a deadly attack,' Det. Matthew Pinfold told reporters Friday. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Pestonji was found with stab wounds around 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the Parkway Forest Drive and Sheppard Avenue East area and taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police said they've received judicial authorization to release images of the suspect, who is a minor, as the search for him continues. They urged the teen to turn himself in and are asking anyone who sees him to call 911 immediately. 'Since the homicide took place, police have conducted an extensive search — canvassing door-to-door, using canine units and drones, and reviewing surveillance footage from the area — and we continue to follow every investigative lead,' police said in a statement earlier Friday. 'Given what we know, we want to be absolutely clear: we believe this individual is dangerous, and the public should not approach him.' Shelley Carroll, the city councillor who represents the area, said she was 'heartbroken' to learn about the attack. 'This is a devastating and senseless act of violence, and my thoughts are with her family, friends, and everyone in the community who has been shaken by this tragedy,' she said in a statement shared on social media. Carroll said support was available for local residents and businesses impacted by the 'violent' and 'traumatic' incident. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
National Post
7 days ago
- National Post
Toronto police seek 14-year-old suspect in fatal stabbing of senior in parking lot
TORONTO — A 14-year-old boy is suspected of fatally stabbing a senior in a Toronto parking lot as she loaded groceries into her car, police said Friday. The teen is still at large and considered dangerous, police said. Article content Investigators said the attack on 71-year-old Shahnaz Pestonji appears to have started out as a robbery at a North York parking lot on Thursday morning. Article content Article content 'We now believe that this was a robbery that escalated into a deadly attack,' Det. Matthew Pinfold told reporters Friday. Article content Article content Pestonji was found with stab wounds around 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the Parkway Forest Drive and Sheppard Avenue East area and taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead. Article content Police said they've received judicial authorization to release images of the suspect, who is a minor, as the search for him continues. Article content They urged the teen to turn himself in and are asking anyone who sees him to call 911 immediately. Article content 'Since the homicide took place, police have conducted an extensive search — canvassing door-to-door, using canine units and drones, and reviewing surveillance footage from the area — and we continue to follow every investigative lead,' police said in a statement earlier Friday. Article content 'Given what we know, we want to be absolutely clear: we believe this individual is dangerous, and the public should not approach him.' Article content Shelley Carroll, the city councillor who represents the area, said she was 'heartbroken' to learn about the attack. Article content Article content
