Toronto police charge man after video surfaces of violent incident at Leafs game

Toronto police said Monday they’ve charged a 37-year-old man after video surfaced on social media of a security guard putting their knee on someone’s head following a Toronto Maple Leafs game Saturday.

The video shows a security guard at Scotiabank Arena apprehending a man and kneeing them in the face as they restrain him, before holding his head down on the floor in a puddle of what appears to be blood. Another person is seen working to restrain the man.

The video doesn’t show what hinted at the occurrence, yet both Maple Leaf Sports and Amusement (MLSE) and Toronto police declared toward the end of the week they were investigating what is happening. The video was shared on Reddit and X, previously Twitter.

On Monday, Toronto police claimed an Ancaster, Ont., man “became angry” with security and afterward attacked three safety officers.

In a news release, the police said that an assault occurred against a police officer who arrived at the scene in the arena hallway to arrest the man.

The occurrence ignited worry among Leafs fans on the concourse.

Someone can be heard shouting in the video, “Hey, come on, get off the f–king guy man, he’s bleeding! Please!”

In an email to CBC Toronto, MLSE said it’s “mindful of a security episode” that occurred that day and is directing a full examination “in co-activity with Toronto Police Administration.”

An MLSE spokesperson stated, “Any update will be reserved pending the outcome of the investigation.”

The one who was captured has to deal with four penalties altogether and is set to show up in court in mid-Walk. 

With records from Derick Deonarain

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