Latest news with #ShahnazPestonji
CBC
27 minutes ago
- CBC
14-year-old charged in fatal stabbing of Toronto senior appears in court
Social Sharing A teen charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a senior in a North York plaza parking lot appeared in court Monday. The 14-year-old wore an orange jumpsuit and sported a wrist brace. The teen talked very little, only speaking up to answer questions from the judge. He is being held at the Toronto Police Service's 14 Division and appeared in court via video. Toronto police said in a news release Sunday that the teenager had been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, following a coordinated effort by multiple police units. His matter was adjourned and he is set to appear next in court on July 28 at 10 a.m. Court heard that Micaele C.K. Zaffina from Dallas Criminal Defence has been retained as the teen's counsel. Zaffina requested time to speak with the teen, telling court he had not yet done so. Due to his age, the teen's name and photos cannot be broadcast under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Shahnaz Pestonji, 71, was loading groceries into her car when she was attacked last Thursday, police said. When officers arrived, they found her with stab wounds. She was taken to hospital, where she died. Police said they believe that the incident was "a robbery that escalated into a deadly attack."
Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Teen arrested in fatal ‘unprovoked' stabbing of woman in North York plaza
A 14-year-old boy wanted in the unprovoked stabbing death of a woman loading groceries into her car Thursday morning at a North York plaza has been arrested, police say. Shahnaz Pestonji, 71, of Toronto was killed in an 'unprovoked' stabbing while loading groceries into her car near Parkway Forest Drive and Sheppard Avenue East on Thursday morning, officers said. Pestonji was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead, investigators said, while the suspect fled the area, leading to a police search over several days. The boy, who is from Toronto, was arrested Sunday and charged with second-degree murder, investigators said in a news release . Beneath this violent act lies an issue unfolding in the Greater Toronto Area — a surge in youth crime that many experts describe as a public health crisis driven by poverty, persistently high youth unemployment and inadequate access to social support systems. In 2024, Toronto police charged 13 people under 18 with homicide , up from just three in 2023, and laid gun charges against 168 youth, the most since the pandemic. Nearly two-thirds of Toronto's carjacking-related arrests involved minors in 2023. At a news conference Friday evening, Toronto police said they believe the suspect intended to rob 71-year-old Shahnaz Pestonji when she was stabbed. Search efforts for the suspect included door-to-door canvassing, drones, canine units and reviewing surveillance footage, officers said. The suspect was believed to be 'very knowledgeable of the city, and especially riding the transit system,' Pinfold added. A number of videos claiming to show the suspect are circulating on social media. Toronto police did not confirm if the videos are legitimate. 'We are aware of the videos circulating online. This remains an active investigation, and we are urging anyone who has any information to contact the police,' a police spokesperson told the Star in an email. The accused is scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 a.m. on Monday. The suspect's age means he cannot be publicly identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Police previously received permission to temporarily release the name and photo of the suspect before the arrest. That permission has now expired. The youngest person to ever be charged and found guilty of murder in Toronto was 12 when he fatally stabbed his cousin more than 80 times in September 2023. Pestonji's family described the wife and mother as 'an angel on this Earth' who was devoted to her family after a career working with veterans and seniors as a nurse at Sunnybrook Hospital. Shahnaz Pestonji's family said she had a distinctive, contagious laugh, loved to travel and was an incredible cook. 'There's no doubt in any of our minds that she knows how much we loved her,' her daughter Yasmin, 39, told the Star last week. 'If I could get another hug I would never let go.' Her family said Prestonji had a distinctive, contagious laugh, loved to travel and was an incredible cook. 'She would never say 'I'm busy,'' her daughter Dina, 41, added. 'She made time for everything, especially family.' With files from Estella Ren, Daniel Opasinis, Raju Mudhar and The Canadian Press
CTV News
18 hours ago
- CTV News
14-year-old boy charged with murder after woman, 71, fatally stabbed in North York
Toronto police say a 14-year-old boy has been charged with second-degree murder after a woman in her 70s was fatally stabbed late last week in North York. Officers were called to the area of 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 71-year-old Toronto resident Shahnaz Pestonji, was attacked in a parking lot while loading groceries into her vehicle. Pestonji was taken to hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. Shahnaz Pestonji, 71 Shahnaz Pestonji, 71, is Toronto's 22nd homicide victim of the year. (Toronto Police Service handout) Police have previously described the incident as 'unprovoked' and say the suspect fled the area before officers arrived. On Sunday, police announced the arrest of a 14-year-old boy in Toronto, following what they describe as a 'coordinated effort by multiple units.' He has been charged with second-degree murder and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. The identity of the teen, who is from Toronto, is now protected under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Online videos appear to show masked individual speaking about fatal stabbing The arrest comes as videos circulating online show a masked individual speaking publicly about the incident in an interview. Police confirm to CTV News Toronto that they are 'aware of the videos circulating online,' but have not confirmed the identity of the person seen in them. Former Toronto homicide detective weighs in on arrest In an interview with CP24, former Toronto police homicide detective Mark Mendelson, shared his insights on the news of today's arrest. Mendelson said investigators took the 'fairly rare' step of seeking a provincial court order to release the teen's identity and photograph, which he noted was from Toronto police - meaning that they'd had some sort of previous interaction with him. He also pointed to the fact that the accused had allegedly taken to social media to post some of his 'thoughts and excuses' online, which Mendelson said could have had a 'component in locating him.' He also noted that police had said that the teen was known to frequent the TTC. Mendelson also pointed to the work of cyber crime investigators, whom he said also likely played an important role in finding the suspect and building the case against him. 'But we do know that it was (a) fairly quick (arrest), but it might be a combination of all of those investigative avenues that they followed. And here we are, and now he's been charged,' he said. 'I would certainly love to see the face of his defence lawyer when he sees these videos, if, in fact, it is the suspect's videos.' Mark Mendelson Former Toronto homicide detective Mark mendelson speaks with CP24 on July 20. Proving that is it the accused in those clips will be one of the first orders of business, Mendelson said, pointing to some aspects in them that he believes will be 'very troubling for the defence.' 'One is he admits to being there. He also admits to having an interaction with this elderly woman. He actually gives a bit of a motive in terms of why the interaction took place. And he also admits to the stabbing,' Mendleson said. 'So this is very damning information, if this matter does in fact go to trial.' It should be noted that the suspect's face is covered in the clips. 'You know, the Crown will make their best efforts to prove that it is, in fact him, and the defence will raise the doubt that it isn't him. I mean, we just don't know all of what is available now,' Mendelson said. 'I mean, you can be sure they're seizing his electronic equipment and they'll be able to trace that back and see if those postings came from maybe his cell phone or another electronic device. So there's all kinds of ways that they can confirm or corroborate that it is, in fact him.' Mendelson said he expects that the accused will have a brief court appearance on Monday and will be remanded into custody. He added that at this point in the investigation the accused has been charged with second-degree murder, a charge he said could be upgraded once the case goes through the court system and other evidence is obtained and presented. 'And we don't know what this young man has said to the police since his arrest,' he said. 'So there's all kinds of things that will be taking place where they may. There may be a reassessment moving into first degree murder, which of course is planning and deliberation.' Investigation is ongoing Toronto police continue to investigate this case and are asking anyone with additional information to contact them at 416-808-3300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Hamilton Spectator
19 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Dangerous' 14-year-old boy suspected in stabbing death of 71-year-old woman at North York plaza
Police temporarily identified a 14-year-old boy as the suspect in the unprovoked stabbing death of a woman as she loaded groceries into her car on Thursday morning . At a news conference Friday evening, Toronto police said they believe the suspect intended to rob 71-year-old Shahnaz Pestonji who died from stab wounds she suffered at a North York plaza in the Parkway Forest Drive and Sheppard Avenue East area. Pestonji's devastated family on Friday described her as an 'angel on this Earth .' 'We now believe this was a robbery that escalated to a deadly attack,' said Det. Matthew Pinfold. The federal Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits identifying suspects under the age of 18. Toronto police said they obtained judicial authorization to temporarily release the male's name and photo. Police say Thursday's stabbing was unprovoked, and that the suspect — who is wanted for second-degree murder — is still at large. 'I want to be very clear, do not approach this individual. He is considered dangerous,' Pinfold said. 'If you see someone matching his description, or if you have any information about his whereabouts, please call 911 immediately.' Pinfold said the youth was last seen Thursday around noon at the TTC's Kennedy Station, and is possibly still in the transit system. He also said police were able to track his movements from Don Mills Station, and to and from the crime scene, through video surveillance. 'I can't nail it down to an exact area of the city, but he is, as far as we know, very knowledgeable of the city, and especially riding the transit system,' he said. Pinfold spoke directly to the suspect: ' I am directing you to turn yourself in immediately. We are actively looking for you, and we will find you.' A number of videos claiming to show the suspect are circulating on social media. Toronto police did not confirm if the videos are legitimate. 'We are aware of the videos circulating online. This remains an active investigation, and we are urging anyone who has any information to contact the police,' a police spokesperson told the Star in an email. The suspect is described as five-foot-seven, 135 pounds with a skinny build. He was wearing black pants and a black hooded sweatshirt with the writing 'New York — 555' on the front in white, police said in a news release Friday . He was last seen wearing a balaclava-style face covering with his hood up and carrying a black satchel. With files from Elissa Mendes Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
19 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Boy, 14, arrested in fatal stabbing of woman, 71, in North York plaza
A 14-year-old boy wanted in the unprovoked stabbing death of a woman loading groceries into her car Thursday morning at a North York plaza has been arrested, police say. Shahnaz Pestonji, 71, of Toronto was killed in an 'unprovoked' stabbing while loading groceries into her car near Parkway Forest Drive and Sheppard Avenue East on Thursday morning, officers said. Pestonji was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead, investigators said, while the suspect fled the area, leading to a police search over several days. The boy, who is from Toronto, was arrested Sunday and charged with second-degree murder, investigators said in a news release . At a news conference Friday evening, Toronto police said they believe the suspect intended to rob 71-year-old Shahnaz Pestonji when she was stabbed. The suspect was considered dangerous, police said, with Det. Matthew Pinfold urging people not to approach him and to call 911. Search efforts for the suspect included door-to-door canvassing, drones, canine units and reviewing surveillance footage, officers said. The suspect was believed to be 'very knowledgeable of the city, and especially riding the transit system,' Pinfold added. A number of videos claiming to show the suspect are circulating on social media. Toronto police did not confirm if the videos are legitimate. 'We are aware of the videos circulating online. This remains an active investigation, and we are urging anyone who has any information to contact the police,' a police spokesperson told the Star in an email. The accused is scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 a.m. on Monday. The suspect's age means he cannot be publicly identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Police previously received permission to temporarily release the name and photo of the suspect before the arrest. That permission has now expired. The youngest person to ever be charged and found guilty of murder in Toronto was 12 when he fatally stabbed his cousin more than 80 times in September 2023. Pestonji's family described the wife and mother as 'an angel on this Earth' who was devoted to her family after a career working with veterans and seniors as a nurse at Sunnybrook Hospital. Shahnaz Pestonji's family said she had a distinctive, contagious laugh, loved to travel and was an incredible cook. 'There's no doubt in any of our minds that she knows how much we loved her,' her daughter Yasmin, 39, told the Star last week. 'If I could get another hug I would never let go.' Her family said Prestonji had a distinctive, contagious laugh, loved to travel and was an incredible cook. 'She would never say 'I'm busy,'' her daughter Dina, 41, added. 'She made time for everything, especially family.' With files from Daniel Opasinis, Raju Mudhar and The Canadian Press Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
