Terror charge laid against suspect in fatal hammer attack of Scarborough woman
Posted February 25, 2020 3:11 pm.
Last Updated February 25, 2020 4:23 pm.
A man charged with murder after a fatal hammer attack in Scarborough last week is now facing a terror-related charge.
Police tell CityNews evidence discovered over the weekend led investigators to believe the attack was a terror-related offence.
Saad Akhtar, 30, of Scarborough was initially charged with second-degree murder after he turned himself in to police. The charge was upgraded Tuesday morning to first-degree murder including terrorist activity.
Police say a woman was walking eastbound along Sheppard Avenue East near Markham Road when she was attacked by a man with a hammer around 7:15 p.m. Friday night.
When police arrived, the victim was pronounced dead on the scene.
She’s been identified as 64-year-old Hang-Kam Annie Chiu of Scarborough.
The RCMP say they believe the attack is an isolated incident and there is no further known threat associated with the accused.