Toronto police say a 33-year-old man has been charged after allegedly setting a woman on fire on a city bus on Friday in what is now being investigated as a suspected hate crime.
Investigators say they were called to the area of Kipling Avenue and Dundas Street West shortly before 12:30 p.m. on Friday for reports of an assault.
They allege a man poured a liquid substance on a woman while on board the same bus as her and then lit the liquid on fire.
Police say the man then left the area while the woman was rushed to hospital.Police say the Toronto man was found nearby and arrested. He has been charged with attempted murder, assault with a weapon, common nuisance endangering the lives, safety or health of the public, and mischief over $5000 interfering with property.They say the investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence after consulting the police's hate crimes unit.Police say they believe this to be an isolated incident and are not concerned for public safety, adding that anyone with information should contact them.
The Toronto Transit Commission's CEO, Rick Leary, said on Friday that the organization is "shocked" by the alleged attack at Kipling station.
"I know incidents like this are concerning for our customers — and I share that concern," he said in a statement.
"Safety is paramount to all we do and I am committed to ensuring the TTC remains as safe as possible."
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The woman, believed to be in her 20s, was helped by TTC employees and citizens nearby. She suffered second and third-degree burns and was rushed to the hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
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On Sunday, police identified the man as 33-year-old Tenzin Norbu of Toronto. He is facing four charges, including attempted murder and assault with a weapon.
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Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Const. Alex Li said the man and the woman were unknown to each other. Police have said the attack was an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the public.
"The issue with (a) random (incident) is that we have to then trace what the relationship or how this came to be, what the motive was," Li said. "So in this instance, (it) being random (is an) obvious cause of concern."
He commended the "quick act of the good Samaritans" to help the woman.
"The message again to the community is when you see something suspicious, or you notice something that is not right, notify authorities immediately. Be cognizant of your surroundings," Li said.
Norbu is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
This documentary is about the life and works of Tenzin Norbu, a Tibetan artist and his commitment for education and health of his valley. The encounter with Enrico, a Swiss trekker will join a friendship and a support for preservation of the Panzang valley, in the Himalayas of Nepal.
Wow, he's kind of famous and all over the net: Tenzin Norbu Lama • Tibetan artist from Dolpo/Nepal5,056 views 17 May 2010 Tenzin Norbu Lama signs his books during the Tibetan Culturel Festival in Paris, May [Link]