A 14-year-old boy has been arrested after allegedly attacking his 73-year-old grandmother with an axe early Tuesday morning in Sainte-Julienne, in the Lanaudière region.
The woman remains in hospital in critical condition.
According to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), officers were dispatched to a residence on Payette Road around 2 a.m. after receiving information suggesting a violent incident had taken place. When police arrived, they found the elderly woman suffering from severe injuries.
Emergency responders transported the victim to hospital. Police have not confirmed the nature of her wounds, but sources indicate that an axe was used in the attack.
Neighbors of the young boy say she was a very kind woman who had been taking care of her grandson for many years, as his father is reportedly in prison and his mother is deceased.
Shortly after the assault, the teenager allegedly fled the scene in a vehicle belonging to the victim. He reportedly lost control a short distance away, where officers later arrested him without incident.
Officials say the boy may face serious charges. The youth is currently being held in custody and is expected to appear before a judge in the coming days.
The SQ says the motive remains unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.
