The initial videos were shocking: a police car appearing to drive over a person under arrest. The footage spread rapidly, painting a disturbing picture of police misconduct, reminiscent of a scene from a slapstick comedy gone wrong. But the truth, as it often does, lay hidden beneath the surface.
The story began not with an arrest, but with a terrifying spectacle. Witnesses described a woman wielding two large, machete-like blades in a parking lot, aggressively stabbing at police vehicles and puncturing tires. It was Halloween weekend, and one observer wryly asked, “Who is that, Michael Myers?”
Police responded to reports of a person armed with knives actively damaging vehicles. Officers deployed a Taser in an attempt to safely disarm the individual. As they moved to take her into custody, a second officer arrived to assist, and a horrifying accident occurred – the officer’s vehicle inadvertently rolled forward.
The car struck both the suspect and one of the arresting officers. A chorus of shouts erupted from onlookers and officers alike, urging the driver to stop. Despite the chaos, initial assessments revealed remarkably, neither the suspect nor the officer sustained serious injuries.
A bystander, Peter Korchinski, captured the unfolding events on his phone. He noted the woman repeatedly shouted, “Stay away from my mom!” Korchinski’s perspective was deeply personal; he tragically lost his daughter, Regis Korchinski-Paquet, during a police interaction in 2020. He expressed relief that lethal force wasn’t used in this instance.
Korchinski emphasized the humanity of everyone involved – the woman, the officers, and the witnesses. He was simply grateful that no one was seriously hurt. The incident underscored the unpredictable and dangerous nature of police work, a reality far removed from the dramatizations seen in movies.
Videos revealed a police officer calmly firing a Taser at the woman from behind. The knives clattered to the pavement as she fell. Officers moved to restrain her, and another police vehicle slowly approached to assist. However, despite warnings to put the car in park, it continued to roll forward.
The vehicle then ran over both the suspect and an officer. While police maintain there were no serious injuries, the potential for tragedy was undeniable. The scene was fraught with danger, both from the initial weapon assault and the subsequent accidental collision.
Former Toronto Police officer Jay Bannister defended the actions of the officer whose vehicle rolled forward, stating he was simply trying to assist his colleagues on a serious weapons call. It’s easy to criticize from the outside, Bannister argued, but those who haven’t faced similar situations can’t fully understand the pressure and split-second decisions involved.
Hosay Hussaini, 23, was charged with mischief and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public. The charges remain before the courts. The incident sparked a conversation about police restraint, contrasting it with the tragic shooting of Sammy Yatim, who was fatally shot after refusing to drop a knife on a streetcar.
Toronto Police Association President Brian Callanan highlighted the dangerous circumstances faced by officers responding to a woman armed with knives. He emphasized the struggle that ensued during the attempted arrest and expressed gratitude that no one was seriously injured. The incident served as a stark reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and a complete understanding of events is crucial.
