Victim of fatal stabbing on Toronto subway did not know her attacker, police say
Police have identified a 31-year-old woman who died after a stabbing on a Toronto subway train Thursday afternoon and say she did not know her alleged attacker.
The incident occurred near High Park station around 2 p.m.
According to police, a man stabbed two women while on the train. Paramedics transported them both to hospital.
One of the women, identified as Toronto resident Vanessa Kurpiewska, died of her injuries.
Vanessa Kurpiewska, 31, is seen in this undated photograph provided by police.
The other, a 37-year-old woman, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and was released from the hospital, police say.
A suspect was taken into custody at the scene. On Friday, police confirmed charges have been laid.
Toronto resident Neng Jia Jin, 52, has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder in connection with the incident.
Police say the accused and the victims were not known to one another.
The charges have not been proven in court.
The stabbing comes after a number of violent incidents on the TTC, which has prompted an increase in police visibility in recent months.
Speaking at a news conference Friday morning, Toronto Mayor John Tory offered his condolences to the victim’s family while also saying the TTC remains a “very safe transit system.”
“It was a horrific event and it was a tragedy,” he said. “We've already taken measures in the past and even in the current circumstances to increase the presence of different kinds of people special constables, streets to homes, outreach workers, police officers on the system, and that kind of work will continue.”
Tory added there is discussion about including additional resources in next year’s budget to further enhance that presence. He also pressed that more needs to be done to address mental health and the “state of the law”—two factors he believes will help improve the “broader issue of violence” in the city.
“I will sit down next week with the police chief and with the CEO of the TTC to discuss what else we can do,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.