RICHMOND HILL, Ontario — A 23-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder following what police are calling an unprovoked attack that left a 54-year-old man dead in Richmond Hill on Wednesday afternoon.
According to York Regional Police, officers were called just before 5 p.m. to the area of Lorraine Street and Bernard Avenue, east of Yonge Street, for reports of an assault in progress.
When officers arrived, they found Amir Shafei suffering from severe injuries. He was rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
A coroner’s report later confirmed that blunt force trauma was the cause of death.
Police say the suspect, Raymond Kim, 23, of Richmond Hill, was arrested nearby shortly after the incident.
Investigators determined that Shafei was attacked outside his home without provocation, and that he and the suspect were not known to each other.
Security footage obtained by media outlets appears to show a man matching the suspect’s description approaching the victim’s home minutes before the assault.
Kim has been charged with second-degree murder and two counts of breach of probation. Police noted that he was already under two separate probation orders for unrelated offences.
Local residents said they were shocked by the violence.
“This could have happened to anyone,” said one neighbor. “It’s scary for sure.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and police are asking anyone with information or video footage to contact York Regional Police’s Homicide Unit.
