Police are searching for a man caught on camera taking off his clothing at a downtown Toronto aquarium before jumping in a tank filled with sharks.
According to a statement provided by Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, located on Bremner Boulevard near Lower Simcoe Street, the man entered the tourist destination around 10 p.m. on Friday.
Toronto police have said the incident occurred half an hour later.
“After purchasing a ticket, (the man) immediately disrobed and proceeded to climb over the security barrier into the exhibit,” the aquarium said in their statement.
Cell phone video of the incident shows the naked man swimming across the top of the tank with fish and sharks moving underneath him.
Aquarium staff contacted Toronto police as they tried to persuade the individual climb out of the tank.
According to investigators, the man did get out of the tank when asked by security, but then flopped back into the water a second time.
After the second swim, police say the man exited the tank, put his clothing back on, and fled the scene before officers arrived.
“TPS has been provided with both surveillance video and footage taken by staff and guests,” Ripley’s said. “Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is cooperating with authorities and is willing to press all appropriate charges once the individual has been apprehended.”
Peter Doyle, the General Manager of Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, said that the aquarium was hosting their monthly Friday Night Jazz event that night and that the incident was not the result of a guest who may have drank too much alcohol.
“He was here for less than 25 minutes,” Doyle told CTV News Toronto. “He definitely came in with the intention to do this.”
Doyle called the incident “upsetting,” saying that it could have resulted in serious injuries to both the man and the animals at the aquarium.
“It’s a family attraction and this is just so upsetting and disappointing that one individual can cause so much grief.”
Toronto police have said that the suspect wanted in connection with the incident at Ripley’s is also wanted in connection with an alleged assault that occurred earlier the same day.
Police say the man was at Medieval Times near Dufferin Street and Saskatchewan Road, when he was escorted out of the building around 8 p.m. by security.
Police allege that once outside, the man approached and assaulted another 34-year-old man. The two men did not know each other, police said.
The victim sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital.
The suspect then fled the scene.
Police have identified the suspect as 37-year-old David Weaver, of Nelson B.C. He has been described in both incidents as being five-foot-ten, about 220 pounds, and approximately 35 to 40 years old. Police say the suspect has a shaved head, a dark goatee, missing teeth and a tattoo on his lower leg. He was last seen wearing a dark hoodie, dark jeans, a green T-shirt, and gray and white shoes.
Investigators said he is believed to be driving a green Dodge Caravan with the British Columbia license plate PL120G.
Police say the man, animals and aquarium visitors did not sustain any injuries.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is being asked to contact the authorities or to reach out to Crime Stoppers anonymously.
