Updated Charge, Young Person Charged with First-Degree Murder and Attempted Murder Updated to First-Degree Murder - Terrorist Activity and Attempted Murder - Terrorist Activity, Homicide #12/2020, Dufferin and Wilson Avenue

TORONTO, May 19, 2020 /CNW/ - The Toronto Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are providing an update to the news release that was issued about Homicide 12/2020 (GO# 2020-390671) on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

On Monday, February 24, 2020, at 12:40 PM the Toronto Police Service responded to a call for a stabbing in the Dufferin and Wilson Avenue area.

Upon arrival officers found:

• A man and a woman suffering from multiple stab wounds outside the premises.
• Inside the business premises a woman was pronounced dead on the scene and identified as Ashley Noelle Arzaga, 24 of Toronto.

On Monday February 24, 2020, a 17-year-old male (Young Person), was arrested in Toronto and charged with:

1. First-Degree Murder
2. Attempted Murder

Shortly after the incident occurred, the Toronto Police Service contacted the RCMP Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) after uncovering evidence that this crime was potentially a "terrorist activity" as defined in section 83.01(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada. RCMP INSET worked in conjunction with the Toronto Police Service, the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) and determined that this crime was in fact one in which the accused was inspired by the Ideologically Motivated Violent Extremist (IMVE) movement commonly known as INCEL (involuntary celibate).  As a result, federal and provincial Attorney Generals' have consented to commence terrorism proceedings, alleging that the murder was terrorist activity contrary to section 231(6.01) and the attempted murder was terrorist activity contrary to section 2, 83.01(b), and 83.27 of the Criminal Code. Accordingly, a new Information was laid today alleging that these attacks were terrorist activity as it is defined in Canadian law.

The Young Person appeared in court via video, at 2201 Finch Avenue, Toronto, today, Tuesday, May 19th, 2020 to answer to these updated charges:

1. First-Degree Murder – Terrorist Activity, invoking Section 231 (6.01) of the Criminal Code;
   
   
2. Attempted Murder, Section 239(1) - Terrorist Activity, Section 2, 83.01(b) and 83.27 of the Criminal Code.

The public can be assured this appears to be an isolated incident and there is no further known threat to the public associated to the accused at this time.

"On behalf of the Homicide detectives tasked with bringing justice to the victims of these crimes, I would like to thank our partners at the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team for their efforts on this case," said Inspector Hank Idsinga, Unit Commander of Homicide, Toronto Police Service. "We will continue to work together, joined in our shared goal of reaching a successful outcome for all involved."

"Good partnerships and inter-agency cooperation have led us to today's outcome. The Toronto Police Service is commended for their thorough investigation into this tragic event and we continue to work together as we remain focused on the safety and security of all Canadians. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims at this time." said Superintendent Christopher deGale, Officer-in-Charge, INSET, O Division RCMP.

Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams (INSETs), led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), are multi-agency teams made up of specially trained members of the RCMP and other law enforcement and national security partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. Working together, INSET members identify, deter, disrupt and prevent criminal activities of terrorist groups or individuals who pose a threat to Canada's national security. 

Terrorism comes in many forms and it's important to note that it is not restricted to any particular group, religion or ideology. For more information, please reference the RCMP Terrorism and Violent Extremism Awareness Guide.

If you believe you've witnessed or are aware of any criminal extremism or suspicious activities which could pose a threat to public safety and/or national security, we encourage you to report it to 1-800-420-5805 or email [email protected]                                              

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SOURCE Royal Canadian Mounted Police

RCMP O Division Media Relations, Sgt. Penny Hermann, Phone # [phone], Email: [email protected]; Toronto Police Service, Connie Osborne, A/Manager, Media Relations, Corporate Communications, Phone: [phone]

Related Links

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/