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Man with electric saw threatens reporters outside Jian Ghomeshi trial in Toronto

Man with electric saw threatens reporters outside Jian Ghomeshi trial in Toronto

A 19-year-old man is in custody after allegedly screaming at reporters and then threatening them with an electric saw outside a Toronto courthouse this morning.

The reporters were waiting outside the Old City Hall courthouse, to be let in for the fourth day of former CBC Radio host Jian Ghomeshi's sexual assault trial, when police were called just before 7:30 a.m. ET for unknown trouble.

Officers arrested a man who was restrained by journalists after he allegedly took a skill saw out of a backpack and threatened the group with it.

Witnesses told police the man showed up and started screaming at journalists.

There's no indication the attack was connected to the Ghomeshi trial.

As the man approached the group, police said, he told them that he had a revolver, but no gun was recovered at the scene.

Instead, the man allegedly reached into his backpack and took out an electric saw with no blade. Police said once the reporters saw the weapon, they grabbed the man and held him down.

Witnesses said a reporter tackled the man.

The 19-year-old is now under arrest and was transported to 52 Division, where he will likely be charged, police said.