The Kabul Tribune (KT) — CBC News has reported that an Afghan mother was killed at her home in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on Thursday evening, and her 18-year-old son has been charged with second-degree murder. Police say the case remains under investigation, while unverified accounts circulating on social media about the circumstances of the incident have not been confirmed by authorities.
According to CBC News, the victim, 41-year-old Yasamin
Ataye, was found seriously injured after Sherbrooke police responded to a
residence on Laiterie Street at about 9 p.m. on July 9, following a report from
a neighbor of a domestic dispute. She was transported to a hospital, where she
was later pronounced dead.
CBC reported that her 18-year-old son, Ramish Ataye, was
arrested at the scene. Another individual was also injured during the incident
and was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police described the incident as an intrafamilial dispute
and said a blunt object was used inside the family home.
According to Canadian media reports, Ramish Ataye appeared
before a Sherbrooke court on Friday, where he was charged with second-degree
murder, assault with a weapon, and assault causing bodily harm. The allegations
have not been proven in court. He remains in custody, and the case was
adjourned until Monday to allow his lawyer additional time to meet with him.
CBC reported that the family is originally from Afghanistan,
according to members of Canada's Afghan community, although Sherbrooke police
have not publicly commented on the family's background. Sherbrooke is home to
Quebec's second-largest Afghan community after the Montreal area and has
welcomed Afghan refugee families since the Taliban returned to power in
Afghanistan in 2021.
The broadcaster also reported that detailed claims about the
events leading to the killing began circulating on Facebook, TikTok, and
Instagram shortly after the incident. Those posts alleged the dispute was
related to a video game and the home's Wi-Fi connection.
However, CBC noted that those claims have not been verified.
Other media organizations and digital safety researchers have also said they
could not find any police statement, court document, or credible news report
confirming the social media narrative.
Sherbrooke police said they are releasing only limited
information to protect the integrity of the investigation and the ongoing
judicial process.
Police said the incident is the first homicide recorded in
Sherbrooke in 2026.
