Police ID murder victims

TORONTO — Toronto police say they have charged Alexander Khalilov, 22, with three counts of second-degree murder following a triple homicide in suburban Etobicoke.

Police say emergency officials responded to a call Monday night at a townhouse complex and found three bodies. It’s unclear how long they had been there.

A family member placed the initial call to 9-1-1, says Det.-Sgt. Dean Burks of the homicide squad.

The suspect wasn’t on the scene when officers arrived, but Det.-Sgt. Burks said he was arrested shortly afterward.

Insp. Tom Crone says the suspect surrendered to officers after he was found in a nearby ravine armed with a knife.

“There was a brief standoff with the suspect. He was armed. We negotiated with the suspect over a short period of time and subsequently he surrendered.”

The victims have been identified as Tatiana Khalilova, 49; Svetlana Babaega, 76; and Victor Zybin, 76. Khalilova, of Toronto, is the accused’s mother; Babaega, of Russia, is the accused’s aunt; Zybin, of Russia, is the accused’s uncle.

Det.-Sgt. Burks said Khalilov’s aunt and uncle were visiting from overseas. Police haven’t yet established a motive.