Woman set on fire in random attack on Toronto bus suspected victim of hate crime, police allege
Toronto police are now investigating an attack that saw a woman set on fire on a TTC bus as a suspected hate crime and say a man has been charged in connection with the incident.
It happened on Friday just before 12:30 p.m. at Kipling Station.
Police said a man on board a bus allegedly poured flammable liquid on a female passenger and ignited her on fire.
The woman, believed to be in her 20s, was helped by TTC employees and citizens nearby. She suffered second and third-degree burns and was rushed to the hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
Police said the man fled the area but was later located and taken into custody.
Police are on the scene of an assault at Kipling Station that left a woman critically injured.
On Sunday, police identified the man as 33-year-old Tenzin Norbu of Toronto. He is facing four charges, including attempted murder and assault with a weapon.
Police also announced that they are treating the incident as a suspected hate-motivated offence following consultation with the hate crime unit.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Const. Alex Li said the man and the woman were unknown to each other. Police have said the attack was an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the public.
“The issue with (a) random (incident) is that we have to then trace what the relationship or how this came to be, what the motive was,” Li said. “So in this instance, (it) being random (is an) obvious cause of concern.”
He commended the “quick act of the good Samaritans” to help the woman.
“The message again to the community is when you see something suspicious, or you notice something that is not right, notify authorities immediately. Be cognizant of your surroundings,” Li said.
Norbu is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Police continue to ask anyone with information to call them at 416-808-2200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
- with files from Katherine DeClerq
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.