Police, MLSE investigating incident at Leafs game after video shows security apprehending fan

An investigation is underway into an incident at Scotiabank Arena after a video circulating online appears to show security guards at the venue forcibly apprehending a man.

Toronto police say they were called to the arena in downtown Toronto around 9:45 p.m. Saturday for reports of an assault. The Toronto Maple Leafs were playing a home game against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday evening.

In a news release, police say event security was checking on a man’s well-being when he became confrontational with security and allegedly assaulted three guards. Officers were called in and as they attempted to arrest the man, he allegedly assaulted a police officer.

Police did not confirm whether the online video was related to their call but say a 37-year-old man was taken into custody. William Anderson, of Ancaster, faces three counts of assault and one count of assaulting a peace officer. He is scheduled to appear in court in March.

In the video posted to Reddit, security guards can be seen in a struggle with a man on the ground in the middle of the busy arena concourse packed with onlooking fans.

The footage appears to show one of the guards kneeing the man in the face and back of the head as they work to restrain him. Blood can be seen pooling on the floor underneath the man’s head.

At one point a bystander can be heard shouting to the guards to relent, advising them that the man was bleeding.

In a statement to CityNews, Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), the owner of the venue, says it is aware of an incident during Saturday night’s game and is looking into it.

“MLSE is aware of a security incident that took place on Saturday, January 13 and is conducting a full investigation, in cooperation with Toronto Police Service,” reads the statement. “Any update will be reserved pending the outcome of the investigation.”