A person has been arrested after a woman was set on fire while on a TTC bus on Friday afternoon in what police call a “random attack”.
Police say they were originally called at Kipling Station, near Kipling Avenue and Dundas Street, around 12:30 p.m. after receiving a report from a man assaulting a woman. near.
“It was then alleged that the man spilled some kind of liquid substance or an accelerator on this woman and then ignited this substance, causing a fire and burning the victim,” Toronto police said. said Alex Li.
TTC employees, as well as nearby citizens, assisted the victim and she was rushed to the hospital in critical condition related to the burns. The victim, who is a woman in her 20s, suffers second- and third-degree burns, according to police.
A 35-year-old suspect has been arrested for the incident.
There was an interaction between the man and the woman before the incident, Li said, and police believe it is an isolated incident.
“Preliminary investigations have led our investigators to believe that this was a random attack,” he said. “I can’t confirm what was the relationship between the man and the woman or what was said before the accelerator was turned on … but we want to do it again, just let the public know that this is a isolated incident on board this bus, we have someone arrested and there are pending charges. “
TTC CEO Rick Leary told CP24 on Friday afternoon that the attack took place on a bus and not at track level. Service on Line 2 between Kipling and Islington stations was suspended while police conducted their investigation.
“I can tell you that it was the TTC employees who responded to the incident and were able to help the police catch the suspect,” he said.
In a previous statement, Leary said he was “shocked” by the attack on Kipling Station.
“Our thoughts are with the victim for a full recovery,” he said. “I know incidents like this are worrisome for customers, and I share that concern.”
“Safety is paramount to everything we do and I am committed to ensuring that the TTC is as safe as possible.”
Leary went on to say that while the TTC provides traffic to millions of customers each year without incident, “they can’t and don’t take it for granted.”
He said special agents are strategically patrolling the traffic system to deter and respond to security incidents and that the agency is working with Toronto police to increase its presence.
In April, police said they would increase their visibility at the TTC after several violent and disturbing incidents, including a case in which a woman was pushed onto the tracks as a train approached.
He managed to roll under the platform lip to prevent the train from entering, suffering a broken rib.
The woman is suing the TTC for negligence, arguing that the TTC did not “implement sufficient safety protocols on the subway platform.”
The TTC, for its part, defends itself by saying that the victim chose to stand on the edge of a platform and did not pay due care and attention to his environment.
Toronto police have reported other cases of violence in the traffic system since then, including assaults, stabbings and robberies. Leary said that in addition to ensuring that there are cameras and emergency alarms at all stations and vehicles, the TTC is “actively recruiting new special agents” and is increasing its partnership with Streets to Homes to help people in crisis.
In a statement posted on social media, Toronto Mayor John Tory thanked TTC employees and spectators for “rushing to help the victim” along with special agents, police, firefighters and paramedics.
“We all pray for the woman attacked at Kipling Station. This is a shocking crime that should not happen anywhere in our city,” he said. with the police chief, James Ramer, and both have assured me that they leave no stone unturned to investigate this matter. “
Police say the suspect will likely face charges related to the incident, but did not say what they would be.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the police or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.