Cops identify elderly victim in fatal unprovoked North York plaza stabbing

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An unprovoked stabbing attack Thursday morning in a North York plaza parking lot has left a senior dead and cops hunting her killer.

Early Thursday night, police identified the victim as Shahnaz Pestonji, 71, of Toronto.

Toronto Police were called to the parking lot at Parkway Forest Plaza, at Parkway Forest Dr. and Sheppard Ave. E., around 9:35 a.m.

A woman was located with stab wounds and rushed to hospital via emergency run but did not survive.

Police believe the woman was out grocery shopping and had returned to her vehicle when the attack occurred. Insp. Phil Sinclair said it was an unprovoked attack.

“It happened during the daytime hours in a busy plaza when many patrons were out simply shopping, getting their groceries or different items in the plaza as well,” said Sinclair.

It’s not known whether the attacker was known to the victim.

The suspect is described as a Black male, between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-10, wearing all dark clothing and a balaclava. Police told CP24 he was armed with a sharp-edged weapon. He fled the area on foot.

Police have released a series of images of the suspect.

This is the city’s 22nd homicide of the year.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto Police or Crime Stoppers.