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A woman is recovering after an altercation with a man in Calgary’s northwest that resulted in his death in what police are calling “the most clear-cut case of self-defence.”
Police believe the man, 48-year-old Shahbaz Ahmed, lured the woman in her 30s to the residence in the community of Edgemont under a false pretence of a property showing on Jan. 9.
The woman was at the residence with her father, according to acting staff sergeant Scott Guterson with Calgary Police Service’s homicide unit.
During the tour, the father and daughter were inadvertently separated in the large house when Ahmed began attacking the woman unprovoked, according to Guterson.
The woman fought off the attacker and was able to escape the home and get the attention of neighbours, who called 911, according to police.
Upon arriving on scene, police found Ahmed in medical distress and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman sustained injuries and was transported to hospital in stable condition.
“She did everything right,” Guterson said. “This is a great example of someone who is completely innocent and had to suffer a very traumatic incident at the hands of a perpetrator.”
Scott Guterson with Calgary Police Service’s homicide unit says the woman did “everything right,” including having her father in the house for the property showing. (Rebecca Kelly/CBC)
As an investigation has determined that the woman was acting in self-defence, Ahmed’s death has been deemed a non-culpable homicide and no charges will be laid in the incident.
“An incident of this nature is extremely rare and deeply unsettling for the victim, her family and all Calgarians,” Guterson said. “The victim’s actions undoubtedly saved her life.”
The man was known to police, Guterson confirmed.
Last year, Ahmed faced two sets of criminal charges including two counts of assault with a weapon.
Court records show he was acquitted on those charges, first in February and again in October.
Ahmed was also acquitted on charges of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, uttering threats and failing to comply with a release order.
Police said there was some communication between Ahmed and the woman in the months prior about renting property, and the two were not involved in a domestic relationship.
The woman’s father witnessed the latter part of the attack, and was uninjured.
“Canadian law says we’re allowed to protect ourselves. The citizen has the same rights to defending themselves as a police officer does,” Guterson said.
“I think her actions, at the very least, saved her from much more serious injuries.”
Guterson said the victim’s family is looking after her and police teams have also been engaged to support her.
An autopsy was completed on Jan. 13. More details of the attack are not being shared to respect the victim’s privacy, Guterson said.