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14-year-old arrested in fatal stabbing in Toronto parking lot

TORONTO — Toronto police say they have arrested and charged a teenage boy in connection to a fatal stabbing of a senior who was loading groceries into her car.
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A Toronto Police Service logo patch is shown in Toronto, on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

TORONTO — Toronto police say they have arrested and charged a teenage boy in connection to a fatal stabbing of a senior who was loading groceries into her car.

After remaining at large for three days, police say the 14-year-old faces a charge of second-degree murder.

Shahnaz Pestonji, 71, was pronounced dead in hospital after being found with stab wounds in a north Toronto parking lot Thursday morning.

While police obtained authorization to release the name and images of the suspect during the search, they say that authorization expired and the suspect can no longer be named.

Police say they conducted an extensive search that included canine units, drones, door-to-door canvassing and reviews of surveillance footage.

Police say the teen is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 20, 2025.

The Canadian Press