Teen girls assault elderly GO Train passengers in viral video, Metrolinx slammed
A group of five teenage girls assaulted two elderly GO Train passengers in a video that went viral. The couple's daughter says Metrolinx staff showed no concern when notified.
Viral GO Train footage shows teen girls attacking elderly couple, Metrolinx response questioned
A video showing a group of teenage girls assaulting two elderly passengers aboard a GO Train has sparked widespread outrage after it was posted to Facebook on Sunday and quickly went viral, according to Toronto Sun Crime.
The incident took place on the 6:10 p.m. Toronto-to-Oshawa GO Train on Saturday. The video shows five teenage girls seated in the vestibule of the Oshawa-bound carriage, drinking vodka from a bottle and using a vape.
Amanda, the daughter of the elderly couple targeted in the footage, told the Toronto Sun that the girls were causing a significant disruption from the outset.
"They were completely disruptive, being menaces," she said. "They were pouring vodka on the ground, drinking vodka, vaping … just being very loud and disruptive."
Confrontation escalates after bystander intervenes
A Good Samaritan seated across from the couple approached the girls and asked them to behave more respectfully. That request, Amanda said, caused the situation to deteriorate rapidly.
The video, recorded by Amanda's mother, captures the girls hurling insults at the Good Samaritan, including gender-based taunts. "You guys are just angry because I said 'be respectful,'" the Good Samaritan can be heard saying, before the girls grow louder and more aggressive.
The elderly man in the couple then asks someone to call Metrolinx security. "At this point, we're being threatened," he says, as the girls in the vestibule continue shouting obscenities.
One of the girls — described as a tall brunette wearing a black jacket and pink pants — climbed the stairs and used a sweater to block the camera. She was joined by a shorter girl in a red shirt, who took a hit from her vape before ascending the stairs.
The Good Samaritan told the girls to walk away before she was struck on the hand by the girl in pink pants. That same girl then struck Amanda's mother across the face with her jacket, hitting her in the eye.
Second video shows vodka bottle thrown at Ajax Station
A second video, not posted publicly but shared with the Toronto Sun, shows the girl in pink pants throwing an empty vodka bottle at the couple as they disembarked at Ajax Station.
Upon arriving at Oshawa, the couple approached a Metrolinx employee to report the incident. According to Amanda, they received no assistance.
"The lady there did not care at all," Amanda said.
Her parents filed a police report with Durham Regional Police on Sunday.
Metrolinx under scrutiny as investigation continues
Toronto Sun Crime reports that Metrolinx confirmed its protection officers received a text message about the incident and that an investigation is ongoing. The outlet's follow-up questions regarding the conduct of the Metrolinx employee had not been answered as of Monday evening.
Durham Regional Police also did not respond to the Toronto Sun's inquiries by Monday evening.
The video accumulated thousands of views and comments online, including messages of apology from the mother of one of the girls involved. Amanda said she obtained additional information about the group's identities and passed everything along to police.
"I have more information about these girls than they probably want me to have," she said.
Public reaction condemns behaviour
Online commenters reacted with widespread condemnation. "Respect your elders!" wrote one Instagram user, adding they would have intervened personally. Others suggested the passengers should have activated the emergency button on the train to have the girls removed sooner.
"Push the emergency button and get them off," one commenter wrote.
Source: Toronto Sun Crime