The Durham Regional Police Service says a 13-year-old male is in custody after an elderly female was allegedly stabbed multiple times and killed in Pickering in the region’s second homicide of 2025.
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, at about 3:05 p.m., the service said members of its West Division responded to the Lynn Heights Drive and Fairport Road area for an “unknown trouble call.”
“A passerby found an elderly female on the ground outside a residence suffering from traumatic injuries,” said police, in a subsequent release following the alleged incident. “The victim was transported to a Toronto-area trauma centre where she was pronounced deceased.”
Through video footage, police said they discovered that the female was outside when she was approached by the suspect. After a brief encounter, the suspect allegedly attacked the victim, stabbing her multiple times, reported police.
The accused fled eastbound on Lynn Heights Drive prior to police arrival.
The public first heard of the incident as an “Alert Ready” message was issued by OPP asking residents in the area to shelter-in-place. Police said the alert was to minimize any risk to public safety and is no longer in effect.
Officers from multiple units, including Air1, drone, K9 and tactical support conducted an extensive search of the area to locate the suspect, and at about 8:30 p.m., the accused was found and taken into custody without incident, reported police.
A 13-year-old male from Pickering is in custody and charges are pending, added police.
In a post on X, the service also said: “Our thoughts remain with the victim and her family.”
The service is thanking the public for providing information and helping locate the suspect.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)