Man from Toronto faces terrorism charge after deadly hammer attack

A man accused of killing a 64-year-old woman with a hammer in a seemingly random attack Friday has also been charged with a terrorism-related offence, Toronto police say.

Saad Akhtar, 30, of Toronto, was arrested last week and was already facing a first-degree murder charge.

On Tuesday, police announced they were upgrading the charge to “murder — terrorist activity” and had contacted the RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team to help with the investigation.

“During the investigation, evidence was discovered which led investigators to believe the homicide may have been a terrorist-related offence,” stated a joint news release from RCMP and Toronto police.

Akhtar turned himself in to the 42 Division shortly after the attack, which occurred around 7 p.m. in the area of Sheppard Avenue East near Markham Road.

Hang-Kam Annie Chiu, 64, of Scarborough was walking east on Sheppard when she was struck by her killer.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Source: The Star