New video appears to show TTC employee shoving teen prior to 'swarming' attack
New video footage obtained by CP24 appears to show the events leading up to what the TTC has described as a ‘despicable swarming’ attack on two of its employees in Scarborough.
The incident began on a stopped bus near Kennedy and Merrian roads on Monday at around 3:35 p.m.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Four 13-year-old boys have since been charged in connection with the incident.
This still image taken from video footage appears to shown the moments leading up to the alleged assault of a TTC employee in Scarborough on Monday.
Two of them are facing one count of assault, while the other two are facing two counts of assault.
So far few details have been released about exactly what transpired, though police have said that “there was an altercation between a group of boys on board” and that two TTC employees were subsequently assaulted.
The footage obtained by CP24 shows the same Merrian Road bus shelter where the incident took place.
It appears to show a uniformed TTC employee stepping off the bus and onto a sidewalk before exchanging words with a teen.
The employee then appears to shove the teen, at which point the teen begins throwing punches in return.
At least two other teens are also seen pushing and shoving.
The footage later shows a second TTC employee running into the shot and towards the melee.
They appear to be attempting to break up the fight when the video cuts out.
The TTC has previously said that the two employees were on duty and on their way to a relief point to pick up their vehicle and go about their shift when the attack happened.
They did not require hospitalization but TTC spokesperson Stuart Green has said that they were “shaken up” after the incident.
He has also said that the driver of the bus was “emotionally impacted.”
“At this point we are working with to police to pull video and get them any evidence we can as they investigate this despicable act. It is absolutely inexcusable,” Green said earlier this week.
It is important to note that the 11-second video does not show what may or may not have transpired on board the bus prior to the attack.
It also cuts off just a few seconds after the first punches are thrown.
CTV News Toronto did previously obtain surveillance footage from a nearby business, which appeared to show an altercation continuing on the road in front of the bus.
That footage shows at least at least a dozen people pushing and shoving in front of the stopped bus and features a number of similarities with the video obtained by CP24.
The “swarming” incident is just one of several recent instances of violence against TTC employees.
A 24-year-old TTC operator in Scarborough was shot with a BB gun over the weekend and later told CTV News Toronto that she feels as though she was “shot for being a TTC employee.”
Meanwhile, on Wednesday two TTC workers were chased through a downtown subway station by a suspect wielding a syringe.
The incidents have prompted the union representing TTC workers to write an open letter to Prime Minister Trudeau to request federal support with addressing the “public transit safety crisis in Toronto.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.