Girl, 14, charged in connection with firework being set off inside TTC bus
A 14-year-old girl has been charged in connection with a firework being set off inside a TTC bus in Scarborough on Tuesday that was captured on video and went viral online.
Toronto police said the girl was travelling on a northbound bus at full capacity in the Kingston Road and Guildwood Parkway area when she allegedly lit a firework.
No injuries were reported, police said. In a news release issued on Wednesday, police announced that the girl had been arrested and is facing a charge of mischief endangering life.
She cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Her arrest comes a day after a video of the incident was posted on social media. CP24 has not independently confirmed the footage.
In the video, a teenager with dreads, wearing runners, blue jeans, a black t-shirt with a blue image, a gray hoodie, and blue runners, carrying a camouflage-print backpack, appears to be smiling while lighting what looks like a blue and yellow firework with a lighter inside a packed bus.
Some of the people with her are heard cheering her on moments before pandemonium breaks out inside the crowded bus as the firework starts to flare up.
Several passengers are then heard loudly screaming while protecting their heads and ducking for cover.
The female holding the lit firework is then seen raising her arm and pointing the firework toward the back of the bus as it goes off.
Inside the smoky bus, one passenger can be heard saying, "You (explicative) idiot," seconds before a number of young people are seen exiting the bus through the side door and fleeing.
In a statement provided to CP24 late Tuesday night, the TTC said they are aware of the incident, which they said happened "earlier" on Tuesday. The city's public transit agency said it has downloaded the video and is investigating.
"Needless to say, deliberately setting off fireworks on public transit is the height of irresponsible behaviour. We are fortunate there were no serious injuries," the TTC said.
"The safety of our customers and employees is paramount to all we do and we are using all the tools and evidence at our disposal to investigate these incidents and pursue charges where possible."
7 incidents in 9 days
In a follow-up tweet posted shortly before 6 a.m. Wednesday, the TTC said it is aware of a "couple of recent incidents" of fireworks being set off on buses in Scarborough.
"They're being looked into and those responsible will be held accountable. Fortunately there were no serious injuries and there's plenty of video available to assist investigators," they said.
The TTC confirmed later in the afternoon that two more similar incidents had occurred, and in total, it is investigating seven firework cases.
No details have been released about the two new incidents. It is unclear if the police are investigating them.
"These are illegal acts and we have video," the transit agency tweeted. "All will be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
The UN warns Sudan's warring parties that Darfur risks starvation and death if aid isn't allowed in
The United Nations food agency warned Sudan's warring parties Friday that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan if they don't allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.