Police ID woman, 71, fatally stabbed in North York parking lot

Shanaz Postunji, a 71-year-old Toronto woman, was stabbed to death Thursday after an unprovoked attack while she was loading her groceries into the trunk of her car.

Toronto police said in a statement that Postunji was taken to hospital but died from her injuries. The incident occurred around 9:35 a.m. in the area of Parkway Forest Drive and Shepherd Avenue East.

No arrests have been made in connection with the attack, but police have released images of the suspect who fled the scene.

Inspector Philip Sinclair said surveillance video showed the attack was “completely unprovoked.”

A car with its trunk open was seen at the scene, and yellow markers were visible near the Iqbal Foods store, the only store in the mall.

Police said it is not yet clear whether the victim and the attacker knew each other.

Postonji is the 22nd homicide victim in Toronto this year.

“We understand that this is a very concerning incident for the public, as it happened in broad daylight in a busy shopping mall where people were shopping for groceries,” said Inspector Sinclair.

However, police said there was no immediate threat to the public. When asked how they could make such a claim when no suspect has been arrested, Sinclair said, “We are taking this case very seriously and we would like to ask the public to be aware of their surroundings.”

However, some residents have expressed concern.

Sruthi Mohanty, who shops at the mall every week, said she was shocked by the attack. “It’s really scary that someone would come in and kill someone in broad daylight. We should live in a safe country. It’s really upsetting.”

Another resident, Nusrat Sarvi, said her family doctor has an office in the same area and was also shocked by the incident: “This area has always been very safe, the people have been very nice. I didn’t expect anything like this.”

“I am truly heartbroken to hear of the murder of a woman in front of Iqbal Foods. It was a senseless and tragic act of violence,” wrote Shelley Carroll, a city councilor for Don Valley North, on social media.

Police confirmed that a sharp weapon, possibly a knife, was used in the attack.

The suspect is described as a man, approximately 170 to 178 centimetres tall, who was wearing dark clothing and a balaclava at the time of the incident.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Toronto Police Service or Crime Stoppers.

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