Teenager Arrested for Stabbing Death of Senior Woman

A 14-year-old boy from Pickering has been charged with first-degree murder after an elderly woman was fatally stabbed in the city on Thursday, according to Durham police.

The boy appeared via Zoom in Oshawa court on Friday from Durham Regional Police Division 17. During the hearing, he confirmed that he had the chance to speak with a lawyer and understood the charge against him.

His identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He is set to appear in court again on June 20.

Police initially reported that the accused was 13 years old but corrected his age on Friday morning.

Acting Staff Sgt. Joanne Mc Cabe did not disclose what led to his arrest, noting that this information is part of an ongoing investigation.

She stated on Friday that the homicide unit will look into any possible motive in this case. Authorities are also not revealing whether any weapon was found at the scene.

The boy appeared via Zoom in Oshawa court on Friday from Durham Regional Police Division 17. (Pam Davies/CBC)

“This appears to be a random attack and we do have no connection between the victim [and] the male in custody,” Mc Cabe said.

She mentioned that police are withholding details about the victim’s name or age at her family’s request.

Unprovoked Attack, According to Police

The incident took place around 3 p. m. near Lynn Heights Drive and Fairport Road, as stated in Friday’s news release from police. A passerby discovered an elderly woman lying outside a home “suffering from traumatic injuries,” according to the release.

She was transported to a trauma center where she was pronounced dead, police reported.

WATCH | What we know about the fatal stabbing in Pickering on Thursday:

What we know so far about the fatal stabbing in Pickering, Ont.

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with first-degree murder after an elderly woman was fatally stabbed in Pickering, Ont. CBC’s Clara Pasieka breaks down what we know so far about the ongoing investigation.

Police indicated Thursday that an unknown male approached the woman outside her home. There was a “brief conversation” between them before the alleged stabbing occurred, Mc Cabe explained.

Durham police Chief Peter Moreira remarked that the suspect stabbed her “in a sadistic and cowardly unprovoked attack that was captured on video,” while speaking to reporters Thursday night.

Mc Cabe expressed gratitude towards community members who rushed to assist the victim.

‘We appreciate their efforts. The family appreciates their efforts,’ she said.

Ontario Provincial Police issued an emergency alert around 5:40 p. m., stating officers were investigating a homicide suspect on Lynn Heights Drive and asking residents to shelter indoors.

After issuing this alert, Pickering closed all public facilities including community centers and libraries.

Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe noted these closures were made ‘out of abundance of caution until there was an arrest made.’

“Thankfully that was done in short order,” he told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning earlier Friday.

Durham police are not providing information about how they arrested the accused; Acting Staff Sgt. Joanne Mc Cabe shared this detail on Friday. (Spencer Gallichan-Lowe/CBC)

The alert ended around 9 p. m., shortly after authorities took him into custody without incident at around 8:30 p. m., according to a news release from Durham police.

Ashe mentioned that the arrest happened at the boy’s home.

“The randomness of this act, the senseless violence that occurred on our usually safe city streets is very troubling,” Ashe said.

He added that the accused had previously interacted with law enforcement and was also ‘very recognizable regarding his outfit.’

“I think there was awareness fairly quickly of who the alleged assailant was,” Ashe said.

Before he got caught, authorities indicated they were searching for a male suspect wearing a long black trench coat extending down to his ankles.

Ashe spoke with neighbors of the victim Thursday who described her as a ‘very nice’ woman known for walking her dogs nearby and caring for her husband.

“It struck a chord within our community and it’s obviously ripped apart a family,” he remarked.

Residents Encouraged To Contact Authorities

A memorial continues growing outside the victim’s house as people leave flowers throughout Friday afternoon.

Shedia Serrao Fredericks and Gabriela Fredericks live across from where it happened. Both women noted seeing someone who fit descriptions provided by police walking nearby just before the attack.There has been an increasing memorial outside where tragedy took place (Clara Pasieka / CBC)

Gabriela recalled sitting inside when she noticed someone approaching close toward where it happened; unfortunately because some objects obstructed her view , she couldn’t see clearly everything happen afterwards.

“ It seems like many others had spotted him roaming around during those hours since he stood out quite notably,” she added.

Later when heading out herself , Gabriela saw individuals attempting CPR alongside other locals tending toward helping before emergency services arrived soon after.

“ Everyone showed up promptly – cops , firefighters , ambulance personnel ,” she stated.Gabriela Fredericks shared insights matching descriptions given concerning potential suspects seen approaching prior incidents (Claude Beaudoin / CBC)

Shedia expressed having lived opposite Mrs. Fredericks over thirty-one years describing fondly how polite & cheerful her disposition always remained whenever crossing paths saying ’hi’. She further commented : “ We usually helped clear snow or anything else needing assistance because sadly Mr. Frederick is sick ” noting poignantly how kindhearted Mrs. Frederick truly displayed herself often even if modestly amidst all odds faced daily thus making this sudden event more shocking overall for everyone involved & connected through familiar relationships built upon kindness shown back then reflecting deeply felt sentiments circulating among witnesses still grieving openly today..

Law enforcement agents pursue inquiries into reports suggesting unusual presence just ahead preceding certain happenings leading up till now; Ms. Mc Cabe requested anyone bearing relevant knowledge surrounding this occurrence – or having captured visual documentation thereof – contact local Durham officials immediately likewise confidential tips can always reach Crime Stoppers anytime available too!

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