13-year old murder suspect held after tense hunt, vigil planned

A 13-year-old male has been arrested after an elderly female was killed in Pickering in Durham Region’s second homicide of 2025, said a police statement yesterday evening. The first murder of 2025 was also in Pickering when a body was found in a car on April 30 (see below).

The statement did not mention the motive for the murder. The statement was issued soon after the arrest.

A vigil for the victim is being planned in the neighbourhood by some community members.

A witness claims to have seen the suspect walk by her house between 2:51 pm and 3:02 pm.

On Thursday, May 29 at about 3:05 pm, members of West Division responded to the area of Lynn Heights Drive and Fairport Road for an unknown trouble call. A passerby found an elderly female on the ground outside a residence suffering from traumatic injuries. The victim was transported to a Toronto-area trauma centre where she was pronounced deceased, police said.

Through video footage, it was learned that the female was outside when she was approached by the suspect. After a brief encounter, the suspect attacked the victim, stabbing her multiple times. He fled eastbound on Lynn Heights Drive prior to police arrival.

Police issue Shelter-in-Place and an Alert Ready

Residents were asked to shelter-in-place and an Alert Ready was issued by the Ontario Provincial Police in an attempt to minimize any risk to public safety. Officers from multiple units, including Air1, Drone, K9 and Tactical Support conducted an extensive search of the area in an effort to locate the suspect. At approximately, 8:30 pm he was located and placed into custody without incident, police said.

A 13-year-old male from Pickering is in custody and charges are pending.

There will continue to be a heavy police presence in this area. DRPS would like to thank the public for providing information and assisting in locating the suspect.

More pictures and videos of the suspect are available at https://www.facebook.com/john.m.meloche

Police seek info on Durham’s first murder of 2025

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