Toronto police say a man has been charged with first-degree murder after a woman was killed during an altercation at a residential building in the city’s west end Friday evening.
Police said officers were called to the area of Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue around 6:45 p.m.
There was some kind of altercation in the building between a man and a 66-year-old woman who lived in the building, police said.
“It took place in the elevator and on the way up to a unit in the upper levels of the building,” Det. Sgt. Rob North told reporters at the scene, adding the man fled the area on foot after the alleged assault.
Investigators initially said it was believed to be a “domestic incident,” but have since said that’s not believed to have been the case.
The woman was found with injuries to her head and was rushed to hospital, police said. There is no word on the nature of the injuries.
The woman, who has not been identified, was later pronounced dead.
“We walked in and there was blood all over the elevator,” building resident Ben Rudesill told Global News.
“Your heart goes out to the lady and her family. It’s almost Christmas time … these things shouldn’t happen.”
Police said there may have been some sort of sexual assault component in the incident.
In an update Saturday morning, North said 49-year-old Karl Hoyes of Toronto — a former resident of the building — was arrested around 12:20 a.m. near Peter Street and Queen Street West in connection with the woman’s death.
North said officers reviewed surveillance footage and the accused was quickly identified.
“We confirmed his identity and then due to public safety, we immediately gathered further resources from the gun and gang task force … to attempt to locate him,” North said.
Hoyes has been charged with first-degree murder. North said he is known to police.
North said it’s believed Hoyes may have known the victim through a circle of friends, but they were not in a relationship and were not well known to each other.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.