Ryan Petroff, a 23-year-old man from Toronto, was arrested after being wanted in connection to a disturbing incident on April 15 at the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) campus. The suspect allegedly struck five people while they were sitting on a bench along the Nelson Mandela Walk.
According to Toronto police, the victims were targeted when Petroff allegedly drove his vehicle towards them, injuring three of them and fleeing the scene. Two victims were rushed to a local hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries, while the other two victims were treated on-site and did not need further medical attention. A fifth victim, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was identified in the days after the incident.
Police revealed that at least one of the victims was deliberately targeted by Petroff, but they did not disclose further details about the victim’s connection to him.
Petroff was stopped by police on May 8 during a road rage incident near Morningside Avenue and Highway 401. Following his arrest, Petroff was linked to multiple outstanding warrants and now faces a slew of charges, including attempted murder, sexual assault with a weapon, two counts of assault causing bodily harm, three counts of assault with a weapon, and three counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.
He is also charged with failure to comply with probation, leaving the scene of an accident involving bodily harm, and operation while prohibited. The investigation into Petroff’s actions continues as more details emerge.
