BRAMPTON, Ont. - A married couple stabbed to death during an afternoon visit to a plaza in Brampton, Ont., were "wonderful people" who became the unfortunate victims of a "completely unprovoked" attack, Peel Regional Police said Thursday.
Nazifa Shahghasy, 52, and her husband Rahimullah Shahghasy, 53, were at the plaza for a medical appointment Wednesday afternoon when a stranger brandishing two knives attacked and killed them.
They leave behind a 21-year-old son and a 19-year-old daughter.
The Shahghasys were "outstanding members of our community" who came to Canada from Afghanistan 20 years ago, said Insp. Norm English.
"This was a stranger attack, unprovoked, in broad daylight," he said.
"They did not know each other prior to that day."
Rahimullah Shahghasy was buying food while his wife made an appointment at a dentist's office, police said.
As she returned to their car, a man armed with two knives - with blades about 25 centimetres long - began stabbing her "for unknown reasons," English said.
As Rahimullah Shahghasy saw his wife being attacked, he rushed to save her but was also stabbed. Bleeding from his wounds, he staggered into a plaza shop for help before collapsing.
They were both pronounced dead at the scene.
When police arrived, the suspect started stabbing himself, prompting officers to use a Taser to subdue him, English said.
The suspect was taken to hospital, where he was under police guard Thursday and in critical but stable condition.
English said the man, who is from Brampton, will be charged with second-degree murder once his condition improves. He said his name will be released once he is charged.
English said the suspect is "very well known" to them on a "variety of criminal matters," but he would not elaborate on the charges.
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