'Violence on transit is not normal': While Ford offers sympathy for teen stabbed in Toronto subway station, residents demand action
Premier Ford says his 'heart breaks' for the family of teen Gabriel Magalhaes, but many wonder why this keeps happening
Politicians, advocates, and residents are speaking out after a 16-year-old teen was stabbed fatally in an "unprovoked" attack at a Toronto subway station Saturday night.
It is alleged that the victim, identified as Gabriel Magalhaes, of Toronto, was sitting on a bench in the station's lower level when the suspect approached and stabbed him without provocation.
Police say they were called to the west-end Keele TTC station around 9 p.m. with reports of a stabbing. An adult male, identified as a 22-year-old Jordan O'Brien-Tobin, was arrested and charged with first-degree-murder.
Politicians speak out
On Monday morning, many politicians, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, spoke out against the attack on Twitter.
"My heart breaks for the family and friends mourning the loss of Gabriel Magalhaes. A son and brother, his life ended far too soon," Ford said in his tweet. "This was a senseless and unprovoked murder that cannot be tolerated. Everyone in Toronto and Ontario deserves to feel safe in their community."
My heart breaks for the family and friends mourning the loss of Gabriel Magalhaes. A son and brother, his life ended far too soon.
This was a senseless and unprovoked murder that cannot be tolerated. Everyone in Toronto and Ontario deserves to feel safe in their community.— Doug Ford (@fordnation) March 27, 2023
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also offered his condolences to the family of the teenage and called the recent attacks on the TTC trains a "growing epidemic".
"My deepest condolences to the family of Gabriel Magalhaes, a 16-year-old boy who was murdered, unprovoked, on a TTC subway. We must put an end to the growing epidemic of violent crime in this country," Poilievre said.
My deepest condolences to the family of Gabriel Magalhaes, a 16-year old boy who was murdered, unprovoked, on a TTC subway.
We must put an end to the growing epidemic of violent crime in this country.https://t.co/f3GSh5rpQJ— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) March 27, 2023
Canadian politician Brad Bradford also spoke out agains the violence and urged the government to take "real action".
"The TTC already has $15 million from the reserve fund for safety measures, yet are only using 10% of it. We need to see real action on this. Now," Bradford wrote.
My heart breaks for the family of Gabriel Magalhaes, the 16 year-old murdered at Keele Station last night.
The TTC needs to be safe. For everyone. https://t.co/F1cBWxzrdp
1/2— Brad Bradford✌️ (@BradMBradford) March 26, 2023
MP Marco Mendicino also promised to work with the City to ensure everyone feels "safe on public transit".
I’m alarmed and saddened to learn of another tragic attack on the TTC. My thoughts and condolences are with the victims’s loved ones.
We’ll continue working with the City of Toronto to ensure everyone feels safe on public transit. https://t.co/5yhGrrCEYu— Marco Mendicino (@marcomendicino) March 27, 2023
A memorial was held at Keele station on Monday for the teen killed in the unprovoked attack. According to City News journalist Richard Southern, protests were also scheduled today against TTC service cuts.
A memorial at Keel station this morning for a 16 year old killed here in an unprovoked attack Saturday night. Protests are also scheduled today demonstrating against TTC service cuts. We’re live on @breakfasttv with the very latest. pic.twitter.com/y2hlhWrz4C
— Richard Southern (@RichardCityNews) March 27, 2023
Residents speak out
Ramping down police presence on the TTC was grossly premature. We need to get this situation under control before it becomes endemic.
Violence on transit is not normal.#Torontohttps://t.co/j0fIRKHOwo— David Jacobs (@DrJacobsRad) March 27, 2023
When is enough enough? We have been patient & we have told our kids to be vigilant, still they are being killed on the #TTC. This is a multi factorial issue but we need augmented safety ASAP. WHAT is Being done? @FentonJagdeo @McKelvieTO @TPSMyronDemkiw @fordnation @TorontoPolice https://t.co/zKGYkvQ6BE
— Milena Forte MD, CCFP (@milena_forte) March 27, 2023
Currently stuck on subway car at Bay station with a police investigation on board the train. I can hear a man on platform yelling “Please kill me”. Day after a 16 year old boy was stabbed in an unprovoked attack on the TTC. Is this really our Monday morning Toronto commute now?
— Harrison Lowman (@harrisonlowman) March 27, 2023
The province should fund shelters and housing so that people don't need to live in TTC stations.
— TDot Resident (@TDotResident) March 27, 2023
Thanks captain obvious.
So, you going to do anything about it or just tell us over and over how your heart breaks and state the obvious?!!— Some One (I have an opinion but not a journalist) (@SEwaiting) March 27, 2023
