A Norwalk man accused of fatally beating his former mother-in-law with a baseball bat on Monday has been charged with murder.

Norwalk police say Ylli Shtopaku targeted Lida Shape as she returned to her residence at the Ten Trumbull apartment complex with an acquaintance. They say the attack happened “following a brief encounter.”

Shtopaku, 45, remained at the scene and was taken into custody by Trumbull police.

Police said in a release that Shtopaku and Shape "were previously relatives but were no longer related due to a divorce in the family several years in the past.”

News 12 confirmed that Shape, 70, was Shtopaku’s former mother-in-law. Police did not detail a motive for the attack.

Shtopaku is being held on a $3 million bond pending his arraignment.

Police say family members who later arrived on scene were treated by Trumbull EMS for medical issues not directly related to the initial incident.