Police ID victim in unprovoked attack in Richmond Hill, suspect charged with murder

John Musselman reports from outside a home in Richmond Hill where police say a 51-year-old man was killed in an ‘unprovoked attack.’

A 23-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection with an “unprovoked attack” in Richmond Hill on Wednesday afternoon that left a 54-year-old man dead.

York Regional Police said a call came in just before 5 p.m. for an assault in progress near Lorraine Street and Bernard Avenue, east of Yonge Street.

Officers arrived and found Amir Shafei suffering from serious injuries, police said. He was transported to the hospital in life-threatening condition but was pronounced dead shortly after.

In a news release on Thursday, police said the coroner determined Shafei’s cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Meanwhile, the suspect, identified as Raymond Kim, 23, of Richmond Hill, was arrested a short distance from the scene.

“Through investigation, it was determined that the victim had been outside his residence when he was attacked without provocation. Investigators believe the victim and the suspect were not known to each other,” police said.

Security footage obtained by CTV News appears to show a person believed to be the suspect walking towards the victim’s house minutes before the attack.

Kim has been charged with second-degree murder and two counts of breach of probation.

Police noted that the suspect had two separate probation orders for unrelated offences.

Residents in the area said they’re horrified following the attack.

“This could have happened to anyone,” one resident told CTV News Toronto. “It is scary for sure.”