Toronto police have identified a woman who died after Thursday’s double stabbing at High Park subway station. A Toronto man is now facing two charges in connection with the attack, according to police.
Toronto woman Vanessa Kurpiewska, 31, died after she was stabbed on the eastbound subway platform shortly after 2 p.m., investigators say.
A 37-year-old woman who was also injured in the attack was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later released from hospital, police said in a news release Friday.
Police were called to the station for reports of a person allegedly assaulting and stabbing people. A man was arrested at the scene.
Police say Jia Jin, 52, has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder.
The accused and the victims did not know each other, police say.
Jin made a brief court appearance at Old City Hall courthouse on Friday where he was read a list of names of people he cannot contact. The court also placed a publication ban on the names on that list.
Jin will remain in custody until his next court appearance on Dec. 14.
Multiple violent attacks on TTC property
Thursday’s attack was the latest in a string of violent incidents on Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) property this year.
In April, a woman was injured when she was pushed onto the subway tracks at Bloor-Yonge station. She survived by pressing herself against the subway platform to avoid being hit by an oncoming train.
The woman is now suing the TTC for $1 million.
Just days before that incident, a man was rushed to hospital after he was stabbed on the platform at St. George station. Police have made arrests in both cases.
Then in June, a 27-year-old woman was attacked on a TTC bus when a man poured a liquid substance on her and ignited it. She was rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital where she later died.
A 33-year-old man was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
More staff and police to be assigned to TTC
Toronto Mayor John Tory described Thursday’s attack as shocking, and said people can expect to the a greater police presence on the TTC.
“We can never accept acts of violence of this kind happening anywhere in our city,” Tory said on Twitter.
“My thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who has lost her life.
“We will simply have to sit down again with the TTC and police officials to see what more we can do to ensure the safety of TTC passengers beyond the many measures the TTC has put in place,” Tory added.
Meanwhile, TTC CEO Rick Leary said the transit agency would add more special constables and uniformed staff to the subway system, starting on Thursday, in response to the stabbing.
“The TTC moves hundreds of millions of customers every year without incident, but is constantly looking at ways to improve safety,” he said.
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