Father, 56, charged with attempted murder after allegedly attacking daughter with hammer

Medhat Darwish. (Facebook)

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A 56-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly attacked his daughter with a hammer in Montreal’s west end early Tuesday morning.

Following the attack, there was a 10-hour standoff with police as the suspect barricaded himself in his home, according to a Montreal police (SPVM) spokesperson

At around 6:40 a.m., police received a 911 call about an armed assault in a home near the intersection of Vallée and Meloche streets in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, in Montreal’s West Island. When officers arrived, they found a 27-year-old woman with serious injuries to her upper body.

A source told CTV News that the victim, who is a police officer, was struck in the head during the attack and later escaped to seek help from a neighbour.

She was sent to hospital with serious injuries, but her life is not in danger, police say. Police were told that the suspect was inside the home and tried to establish contact with him, but he refused, the SPVM said.

At around 5 p.m., police were able to make an arrest. The suspect also sustained injuries that were self-inflicted, according to police.

Medhat Darwish is facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and assault on a peace officer, according to a charge sheet.

He made a court appearance on Wednesday and was remanded into custody pending another court appearance on Thursday.

Business records show that the accused is the administrator of Centre Samourai Koryukan, a martial arts centre in Lachine. The business’ Facebook page wrote in a post on Wednesday that the centre was closed and more information would be shared later.

Police have not released a motive for the attack.