TTC Subway Stabbing: Police Release Name of Accused, Victim Recovering in Hospital
Jennifer Pagliaro, The Star, February 28, 2013
Police have released the name of a 20-year-old man wanted in the subway stabbing of a 35-year-old man who was recovering in hospital Thursday.
Toronto man Cassim Celani Cummings is wanted for attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and failing to comply with probation.
Cassim Cummings
On Wednesday around 10:20 p.m., police responded to a train near Davisville station after a call for a stabbing on the southbound Yonge St. line.
Police said a man was stabbed in the neck with a knife, which clipped an artery, in what appeared to be an unprovoked attack.
Staff Sgt. Matt Moyers said the victim was trying to dissuade the suspect from bothering other passengers on the train.
“It appears this guy was just being a jerk to people on the train,” Moyers said. He said the victim then stood up and asked the man to stop. “He was like, ‘Hey listen, enough’s enough,’” Moyers said. “‘C’mon man. Leave these people alone.’”
A passenger assistance alarm was activated and people aboard the train assisted the man as emergency crews rushed to the scene and transported the man to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
“He wants to sincerely thank everyone that came to his aid and helped him,” Sunnybrook spokesperson Laura Bristow said after speaking with the man, who requested his name not be released. “Right now he just wants people to focus on finding the guy.”
The man could be discharged later today, Bristow said.
Police said the suspect fled on foot from the train. They have released several surveillance photos showing a black male, thin build, wearing a black jacket with a hoodie and carrying a white plastic bag.
He is considered to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached, police said.
