Police looking for suspect after vicious bottle attack on a TTC subway train

Police are on the hunt for a suspect in yet another TTC attack, where a man was repeatedly struck with a bottle aboard a subway train during the Wednesday evening rush hour.

Officers from Toronto Police's 55 Division were called to Donlands subway station on the TTC's Line 2 Bloor-Danforth around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday for reports of an attack aboard an eastbound train.

Police allege that a man onboard the train was confronting passengers, when, at approximately Pape station, he began to argue with another male passenger. As the train approached Donlands station, the irate man allegedly attacked the other passenger, striking him with a bottle several times and causing non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect is described as approximately 5'8" with a medium build, black braids, and a short black beard. At the time of the attack, he was seen wearing a dark blue Puma sweater, black pants with coloured print in the middle, blue and white Nike running shoes and carrying a black fanny pack across his back.

News Release - Public Assistance Sought in Assault With A Weapon Investigation, Donlands Subway Stationhttps://t.co/4b51nVvavB pic.twitter.com/JRzxxaBQyE

— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) March 30, 2023

Police are seeking the suspect for charges including assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm, and are asking anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

The attack comes amid another streak of violent crime aboard the TTC.

Riders are still in shock over the unprovoked murder of 16-year-old Gabriel Magalhaes at Keele station this month, as well as other high-profile incidents like the random assault of a 15-year-old passenger just a few days later.

Riding public transit in Toronto has people concerned enough that there's even a new self-defence course aimed at teaching passengers how to fend off attacks on the TTC.

The transit agency has responded to passengers' concerns by improving access to its SafeTTC reporting tool, but even that move landed the TTC harsh criticism after it included people experiencing homelessness as one of the dangers customers can report.