It has been nearly a year since a then-17-year-old "took a few steps out of a taxi" when he was violently assaulted by a group of men in downtown Toronto, leaving him in a coma.
A year later, police continue their search for the men who kicked, punched and stomped on a teenager who exited a taxi around 1 a.m. on Aug. 3, in the York Street and Queen Street West area.
Since the brutal assault, the victim, who has not been identified, has undergone a series of life-saving surgeries but “will never be the same.”
Police continue to search for six male suspects caught on surveillance video following the assault but have had no luck identifying them.
Police say the victim was out with friends on the night of Aug. 3, 2014. For some reason, unknown to police, he exited a taxi on York Street. He was then brutally beaten by the group of men.
“His quality of life will never be the same. The youth is currently undergoing rehab and is under constant medical supervision,” Det. Sgt Paul Rinkoff said at the news conference.
Rinkoff says the boy’s family has undergone a “traumatic and emotional year.”
“Their child will never be the same or function at the same level,” Rinkoff said.
Police say they haven’t determined a motive for the attack and will not speculate if it was random.
“I am appealing to the public one more time to identify these males,” Rinkoff said.
The identity of the teen has been kept private at the request of the family.
The six men fled on foot, westbound on Richmond Street and Queen Street West, towards University Avenue. Three of the men jumped into a taxi at University Avenue and were last seen going north.
Anyone who can help police in their investigation is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
