Markham, Ont., firefighter dies in unprovoked café attack

Off-duty Markham, Ont., firefighter Dominic Parker was fatally stabbed "without provocation" at a Toronto café last weekend, and a man now faces a first-degree murder charge, police say.

The stabbing occurred at the Rotana Café at 1530 Danforth Ave. near Coxwell, shortly after 1 a.m. ET on Saturday.

Police say the stabbing victim had ridden his bike to the café and had stopped in for a tea. He was sitting when he was attacked.

Parker, 45, was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries, and died Monday.

Jay Michaels, Parker's friend for 14 years, told CBC News that the killing has left him stunned.

“There is nothing more helpless than looking down at a hospital bed and seeing that person is no longer there, and that it’s just the shell of who they were," he said.

Parker leaves behind a wife and two teenage daughters.

Nabil Huruy, 23, who was arrested shortly after the attack, was initially charged with attempted murder, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon and a single count of weapons dangerous.

Parker's funeral is scheduled for Friday.