Toronto police say they have launched an assault investigation after a viral video posted on social media appears to show a man grabbing a mop bucket and throwing the water on a fellow TTC passenger.
In a brief video posted on Instagram by artist Starz, a woman can be seen flicking clear liquid toward a man on the platform at Lawrence East RT station before he charges in her direction, grabs a blue bucket and throws the contents in her direction. He can then be seen starting to run down the platform stairs before the video ends.
Const. Allyson Douglas-Cook told Global News Wednesday police received a report of an assault at around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. She said it was reported to police that the dispute began on board a train and continued on the platform.
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Douglas-Cook said a witness reported chemicals used to clean the floor were thrown toward the man before the mop bucket was dumped on the woman.
Police said 43 Division officers are investigating the incident as an assault with a weapon. Investigators are still trying to identify the suspect and TTC surveillance video has been ordered.
TTC spokesperson Stuart Green told Global News in a brief statement that transit agency staff are trying to assist police with their investigation.
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“We are disappointed this incident occurred on TTC property,” Green said.
“Our employee was a bystander and, thankfully, was not injured in this dispute.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-4300 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477.
With files from Erica Vella