A Calgary woman who fatally stabbed a man during a violent attack in her family home acted entirely in self-defence and will not face any criminal charges, police have confirmed. The incident, which took place in the northwest community of Edgemont, has been classified as a non-culpable homicide.
A Fatal Confrontation in a Family Home
The harrowing sequence of events began on Friday, January 8, 2016, when a 48-year-old man, later identified as Shabaz Ahmed, arrived at a house under the pretense of finalizing a rental agreement. The homeowner and his 35-year-old daughter, who managed the property, had met Ahmed previously in December. He had allegedly spun a tale about needing space for family members.
After signing the lease, the homeowner asked for the security deposit. At that moment, Ahmed asked the daughter for a final inspection of the home. They went upstairs, where the situation turned violent. The homeowner soon heard a faint cry for help and rushed to investigate.
A Desperate Struggle for Survival
What he discovered was a brutal assault in progress. According to the account given to police and relayed by the father, Ahmed had smashed the woman in the face, rendering her temporarily unconscious. When she regained consciousness, he was grabbing her by the hair and attempting to suffocate her.
In a desperate fight for her life, the woman tried to push her attacker away. He responded by biting her fingers. During the relentless assault, she managed to pull out a pocketknife and stab him. "She had no other choice," her father stated. "He wouldn't get off her, and he kept hitting her."
After stabbing Ahmed, the injured woman fled to the home of her neighbour, Alex Hansen. Hansen, a long-time resident of Edgemont, opened her door to find the woman covered in blood, still holding the knife, and in a state of extreme distress. "She kept shouting that her dad is in the basement and somebody's trying to kill him," Hansen recalled. She immediately called 911.
Police Investigation Supports Self-Defence
At a news conference the following Tuesday, Acting Staff Sergeant Scott Guterson of the Calgary Police Service Homicide Unit confirmed the woman's actions were justified. "The victim's actions undoubtedly saved her life, and our thoughts are with her as she continues to recover," Guterson said.
He explained that investigators believe Ahmed "lured the woman to the residence" under false pretenses. Police also noted the father's suspicion that Ahmed had taken medication like Viagra prior to the attack, though they would not officially confirm if it was found at the scene.
The autopsy confirmed Ahmed's identity and his death was deemed a non-culpable homicide, meaning no blame is attached to the person who caused the death. No charges will be laid against the woman, who is recovering from her physical and emotional injuries.
