Halton police have made an arrest in connection with the stabbing death of a 91-year-old Oakville man.

Officers announced at a news conference that they have laid a charge of first-degree murder in relation to the death of Edmund Ferrari.

The arrest was made early Friday, Oct. 18.

Ferrari was stabbed to death on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 4:45 p.m., as he went for a walk outside the Revera Churchill Place retirement home at 345 Church St., where he was a resident.

Supt. Kevin Maher said the arrest was made following an exhaustive investigation led by the Halton police homicide unit.

He said the investigation was supported by many units within the Halton police and assisted by Toronto police and Durham police.

“The service applied all available resources to investigate the senseless and tragic death of Mr. Ferrari,” said Maher.

“The identification of a suspect would not have been possible without the support of area residents and local businesses who provided tips and video that aided the investigators. The Halton Regional Police Service would like to thank the community for its support.”

During the news conference Halton Police Chief Stephen Tanner extended his condolences to Ferrari’s friends and family.

“It is unimaginable to me that someone lives for more than 90 years and then meets such a violent end as did Mr. Ferrari on a Saturday afternoon while out for a walk in the safe, beautiful town of Oakville,” said Tanner.

“I cannot put myself in his family’s shoes, but I want them to know that I stand with them as they grieve and begin to heal, if that is ever possible.”

Tanner emphasized Ferrari and the accused did not know each other and described the attack as unprovoked.

He said the accused was arrested while already in custody at the Toronto West Detention Centre, where he is facing unrelated charges.

Toronto police say the accused was wanted following the Aug. 28 stabbing of a woman at a fast-food restaurant in Toronto’s Victoria Park and Ellesmere avenues area.

They described that incident as unprovoked.

The man was also wanted in connection with the Aug. 12 stabbing of a 19-year-old in Toronto’s Islington Avenue and Duncanwoods Drive area.

He was arrested in connection with those incidents Sept. 11 and charged with a number of offences, including assault with a weapon and aggravated assault, police said.

Maher would not comment on whether Ferrari had been robbed.

“He was a 91-year-old gentleman living peacefully in the community. He had no criminal history, nothing like that,” said Tanner.

“This appears to be totally random with no reason for that altercation to have taken place.”

Those present also heard from Oakville Mayor and Halton Police Board chair Rob Burton, who said it was an outrage that the community had been invaded in this way.

“I’m just so proud of the Halton Regional Police Service and our community for the way they worked together to solve this,” said Burton.

The mayor said he has never seen a crime like this before and said he hopes to never see one like this again.

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Dazel Henry, 23, of Brampton has been charged with first-degree murder.

He appeared in Milton court today and is scheduled for another court appearance on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to contact the Homicide Tip Line at 905-825-4776.