Man allegedly assaults TTC streetcar riders in downtown Toronto
A man allegedly assaulted TTC streetcar riders in downtown Toronto on Saturday, according to Toronto police.
Officers said the assault took place in the Queen and Victoria streets area.
The man was seen exiting the streetcar and walking southbound on Victoria Street.
Police say three victims have been identified, but officers could not provide an update on injuries.
The suspect is described as a white 35-year-old man with a slim build wearing a black baseball cap, which may be covering a bald head. He was seen sporting black pants and a long black jacket. He was wearing glasses and a backpack, police say.
This news follows a violent streak on public transit in Toronto. Just yesterday, a man was assaulted by a group of youths on board a TTC bus. A day prior, a woman was charged with attempted murder after she allegedly stabbed a stranger multiple times on a TTC streetcar, leaving them with what police are calling life-altering injuries.
Despite these recent events, Toronto Mayor John Tory insists the TTC is safe.
“We do have to remind ourselves that the TTC transports millions of people every day, every single day of the week. And they do it safely,” Tory said while at an event on Saturday afternoon.
The mayor said these recent spurts of violence are not exclusive to Toronto, but rather, span across North American cities.
“I think it could be some of the after effects of the pandemic, it could be other things that have to do with some of the real issues we face with mental health, “Tory said.
“It's part of a certain, I think very anxious period, we're going through on the part of a lot of people. Perhaps it's the economic conditions, perhaps the aftermath of the pandemic. People are anxious and they're acting out in ways that are clearly not acceptable.”
In an effort to increase safety on public transit in Toronto, the TTC is adding 80 new staff members across the system.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.