14-year-old charged with murder in fatal stabbing of woman, 71, in Toronto plaza

CTV News

20-07-2025

Toronto police are investigating a stabbing at a commercial plaza in North York on July 17, 2025 that left a woman dead.
Toronto police say a 14-year-old boy has been charged with second-degree murder after a woman in her 70s was fatally stabbed while loading groceries in a commercial plaza earlier this week.
Officers were called to the Parkway Forest Drive and Sheppard Avenue East area at around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday for reports of a stabbing.
Investigators say the victim, identified as Shahnaz Pestonji, 71, of Toronto, was attacked in a parking lot before being rushed to hospital, where she later died.
Shahnaz Pestonji, 71
Shahnaz Pestonji, 71, is Toronto's 22nd homicide victim of the year. (Toronto Police Service handout)
Police have previously described the stabbing as 'unprovoked' and say the suspect fled the area before officers arrived.
On Sunday, in a news release, officers say they arrested a 14-year-old male in Toronto following what police describe as a 'coordinated effort by multiple units.'
The teen, whose identity is now protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with second-degree murder.
"The name of the Young Person and their photograph can no longer be published/broadcast," officials wrote.
The charges have not been tested in court, but police say he is scheduled to appear this week on Monday.
Police continue to investigate this case and are asking anyone with additional information to contact investigators.