Toronto man allegedly wielding knife made it to Premier Doug Ford's front door, source says
A man allegedly wielding a large knife and yelling threats made it to the front door of Premier Doug Ford's Toronto home on Monday night, a source says.
According to a spokesperson for the Ford’s office, a man arrived at the suburban home just before 6 p.m. and started yelling threats.
Police say before approaching Ford’s house, the suspect slashed the tires of multiple vehicles.
A source close to the investigation told CP24 that once on the Ford property, the suspect, who made it to the front door of the private home, was told to drop the knife several times before he eventually did.
Ford was not home at the time, but his wife arrived just minutes after the incident occurred, the source says.
A photo of the knife involved in the incident has been obtained by CP24.
"The premier thanks the officer for his quick action and bravery, which resulted in no harm to anyone involved in the incident," the premier’s office said in a statement Tuesday.
According to police, 44-year-old George Niras of Toronto, was arrested at in connection with the incident.
He is charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and 11 counts of mischief to property under $5,000.
Toronto Police Chief James Ramer said Tuesday he is "very concerned" by the incident.
"I've been in discussions with the OPP commissioner and in terms of the security out there," Ramer said. "It's an unfortunate incident."
Ford's home has been the site of numerous protests over the last year. In a November 2020 news conference, the premier lashed out at individuals for protesting the province's lockdown measures and disrupting his neighbours, calling them "buffoons."
"I have the best neighbours anyone could ever ask for. They didn't sign up for this, they aren't making decisions for the government, it is totally unfair. It's unacceptable that they have to put up with this because they're living beside the premier," Ford said at the time.
A month earlier, the premier said that a group of protesters were showing up at his home every Saturday morning. Ford said that he had to call the fire department after one particular incident in which a protester "threw blood on the street."
"You want to protest, God bless you, freedom of speech, come down [to Queen’s Park], protest, do whatever you want," Ford said. "Don't scare the kids in the neighbourhood. You are scaring them. You are intimidating them."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.