Victim of alleged homophobic attack on Toronto Island reacts to arrest
The victim of an alleged homophobic attack on Toronto Island earlier this month says he is “somewhat comforted” by the arrest of a man in connection with the violent incident.
“Given the circumstances surrounding the incident, I have no question I was a target because I am a gay man. This attack was a hate crime, not just against me but against all 2SLGBTQ+ people,” David Gomez said in a statement released by his lawyers Monday.
“I will continue to co-operate with the police investigation and want the individuals responsible for this assault to be held accountable.”
On Saturday, Toronto Police Services announced the arrest of Elijah McGibbon and charged him with aggravated assault following the June 5 altercation at Hanlan’s Point, which left Gomez with serious injuries to his lower back and also required him to undergo surgery to repair his face.
In the moments leading up to the attack, police allege that Gomez and an unidentified 27-year-old woman were walking to the ferry docks when they became involved in a disagreement with a group of people. A man from the group made homophobic comments towards the victims and a woman grabbed one of the victims, investigators said.
Two men from the group then allegedly assaulted Gomez by punching and kicking him.
In the days that followed, accusations surfaced online linking Ottawa Redblacks defensive lineman Chris Larsen to the attack. Although he has not been identified as a suspect by police, the CFL player was subsequently suspended from his team following the incident. As of last week, the team said that there had been no official change to Larsen’s status.
Speaking to CTV News Toronto on Wednesday, Larsen and his lawyer, Calvin Barry, denied the allegations claiming that he was “at most” a witness to the event.
Following McGibbon’s arrest Saturday, Toronto police Det. -Const. Lauren Hassard underscored that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
“This is a complex case and we still encourage witnesses to come forward,” she said in a news release.
“In particular, we want to speak to two women who we believe were in the area at the time and are described as white, in their 20s and with brown hair.”
McGibbon is set to appear at a Toronto courtroom on July 26.
Toronto police’s hate crime unit is supporting the investigation.
Meanwhile, Gomez says that during Pride Month, “we cannot lose sight of the fact that systemic discrimination still emboldens individuals to perpetrate hate crimes against our community.”
“We cannot abandon the resistance and defiance of those early Pride celebrations, but must understand that, as far as we’ve come, the work of resistance and defiance is not yet done.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.