Homicide at Toronto massage parlour was an act of incel terrorism, police say

Police say the killing of a woman at a Toronto massage parlour in February was an act of terrorism carried out by a 17-year-old who identified as an involuntary celibate, also known as an incel.

On Feb. 24, police responded to a reported stabbing at Crown Spa in the city's north end.

The victim, Ashley Noell Arzaga, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others, a man and a woman, suffered stab wounds but survived theattack.

Toronto police arrested a 17-year-old boy, who wascharged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. As a minor, his identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Local investigators later contacted the RCMP's Integrated National Security Enforcement Team after uncovering evidence suggesting the attack may fit the Criminal Code definition of terrorist activity.

WATCH | Homicide at Toronto massage parlour an act of incel terrorism:

Homicide at Toronto massage parlour an act of incel terrorism, police say

4 years ago

Duration 1:56

Toronto Police say a February homicide at a massage parlour was incel-related and have charged the teenage suspect with terrorism.

Police say they later determined the attack was inspired by incel ideology. Participants in the misogynisticonline movement typically express frustration toward women over their own lack of sexual success, and sometimes threaten violence against them. Police classify itas an"ideologically motivated violent extremist" movement.

Investigators have not provided details about the evidence supporting their conclusion in the massage parlour case.

The 17-year-old accused appeared at a Toronto court via video link on Tuesday, where Crown attorneys laid the updated terrorism charges, which are:

• First-degree murder - terrorist activity.
• Attempted murder - terrorist activity.

The updated charges mean the accused couldface an automatic life sentence if he is convicted onany of the charges. The Criminal Code states that anyone convicted of an indictable offence linked to terrorism is "liable to imprisonment for life."

"The public can be assured this appears to be an isolated incident and there is no further known threat to the public associated to the accused at this time," Toronto police and the RCMP said in a news release.

"Terrorism comes in many forms and it's important to note that it is not restricted to any particular group, religion or ideology."

Alek Minassian, the accused driver in the 2018 Toronto van attack that killed 10 people and injured 16 others, said in a police interview he was also inspired by incel ideology.