Another stabbing at TTC station causes subway closure and people are fed up

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A mid-day stabbing at Eglinton station has sent a man to hospital, closed a stretch of the TTC's busiest subway line, and rehashed anger over perceived danger on Toronto's public transit network.

Toronto Police reported a stabbing occurred at the busy station in midtown at 12:23 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. The victim was reportedly transported to hospital with serious injuries, and trains were halted.

STABBING:
12:23 pm
-TTC Eglinton Subway station
-police o/s
-male located with stab wounds
-the victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries
-trains are currently stopped#GO1567469
^lm
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) July 6, 2023

About 15 minutes after the alleged stabbing, the TTC reported that both train and bus service to the station had been halted while police investigated.

Line 1 Yonge-University: No service between Lawrence and Davisville due to a security incident. Shuttle buses are running between Lawrence and Davisville.
All bus service from Eglinton Station being redirected to St Clair Station.
— TTC Service Alerts (@TTCnotices) July 6, 2023

Almost an hour after the incident occurred, police shared a description of the suspect.

STABBING:
TTC Eglinton Subway station
12:23 pm
- suspect described as male, black, 5'11-6'0, bald, wearing a green hoodie, black pants and black/gold sunglasses
- trains are still stopped
- consider alternate routes at this time
- anyone with info, call police #GO1567469
^se
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) July 6, 2023

The TTC would later share a more detailed statement on the stabbing.

#TTC statement on Eglinton Station incident.
Subway service is turning back at Lawrence and Davisville stations until further notice.
Shuttle buses are running. pic.twitter.com/tM4ps0RGAU
— TTC Media Relations 📰🚌🚋🚈 (@TTCNewsroom) July 6, 2023

Thursday's stabbing is just the latest in a seemingly endless string of high-profile crimes on public transit that have riders feeling uneasy about the TTC.

This is why I no longer take the subway. Somewhat safer on bus or street cars.
— caroline 🇨🇦🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@carriewat1) July 6, 2023

Dozens have replied to the Toronto Police and TTC's tweets on the incident, calling out the powers that be for a perception that safety is on the decline.

Ah, random stabbing in a TTC station. A Toronto classic.
— Bumface 🍔 (@misterbumface) July 6, 2023

One reply takes aim at the City's budget priorities on funding highway construction while cutting back on transit and mental health support — factors critics argue are a major contributor to problems on the TTC.

So sorry, I wonder why. All the Provincial cutbacks in staffing, but they have money for a highway, to service the privileged, who can afford those so called affordable homes at $3million. Businesses can not operate without workers!
— Tundi Kitching (@Tundi6) July 6, 2023

Others complained about the incident's effect on transit service, specifically the frequency of shuttle buses deployed to relieve traffic on the halted stretch of subway.