Toronto Police Search for up to 15 Youths in Alleged Assault of TTC Workers

A Toronto police vehicle in Toronto on July 12, 2018. (Chris Helgren/Reuters)

Toronto police said they are looking for a group of up to 15 male youths who reportedly assaulted Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) workers on a bus on Jan. 23.

Three uniformed TTC employees were allegedly attacked by the youths on a bus near Kennedy Road and Merrian Road in Scarborough, northeast of Toronto. Police said in a statement that they received a report of the assault at roughly 3:35 p.m.

The youth reportedly fled the scene, leaving the TTC workers with non-life-threatening injuries.

The assault occurred when a bus operator was about to make a driver change, Const. Laura Brabant told The Canadian Press.

Police investigators and TTC special constables are interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from the evening of Jan. 23 to get a better idea of what transpired, she said.

Toronto Mayor John Tory issued a statement, calling for witnesses of the alleged assault to come forward.

“I encourage anyone with information to help police find those responsible for this attack so they can face consequences for their behaviour,” he wrote.

Tory said he is also “very concerned” about the increasing number of criminal acts involving youth—a statement that came days after another TTC bus driver was shot with a BB gun in Scarborough on Jan. 21.

“We have to put an end to these acts of violence and disrespect against transit workers,” Tory said on Twitter.

He also referred to another swarming incident last month where a group of girls allegedly murdered a homeless man near Union Station.

“I am also very concerned about the increasing number of criminal acts involving young people. I strongly believe this is something all governments have to work together to urgently address with social and mental health experts,” Tory said.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, which represents TTC workers, said in a Jan. 24 statement that the transit workers “should not have to go to work in fear of their lives.”

“These attacks leave long-term psychological impacts that remain with our members much after their physical wounds have healed,” the group said in a separate release on Jan. 23.

“This continued pattern of criminal behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated. There must be accountability.”

The release noted that the transit union has continued to request help from Tory and TTC CEO Rick Leary.

“Our members are disgusted with the repeated and escalated acts of violence against transit workers,” said Marvin Alfred, President of ATU Local 113. “We will always advocate for our members, but we need support from the City of Toronto and the TTC too.”

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.