Memorial created for woman fatally stabbed at High Park station

A small memorial has been created for a 31-year-old woman fatally stabbed by a man in an unprovoked attack at High Park station last week, re-igniting fears of some transit riders that the TTC isn’t doing enough to ensure safety.

The monument honouring Vanessa Kurpiewska of Toronto can be viewed at the subway station, which includes flowers and the woman’s picture.

The violent incident happened on Thursday, Dec. 8, when officers were called to High Park station for reports of a double stabbing.

Toronto police said a man entered a subway car and stabbed two women, who were rushed to a hospital. The suspect was quickly apprehended and taken into custody at the scene.

On Friday, the deceased woman was identified as 31-year-old Vanessa Kurpiewska of Toronto. Photo: Toronto Police.

One woman, later identified as Kurpiewska, was pronounced dead. A second victim, a 37-year-old woman, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later released from the hospital.

Police confirmed that the male suspect and both women were not known to each other.

On Friday, 52-year-old Neng Jia Jin of Toronto was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder.

The man made a court appearance via video link, but a publication ban prevents media outlets from reporting any details of that appearance. Jin will make another court appearance on Dec. 14.

Fatal stabbing has commuters on edge

The double stabbing is one of several violent incidents at TTC stations this year. In the summer, a Toronto woman was targeted in what police called a hate-motivated attack and set on fire at Kipling Station. She died from her injuries in the hospital a month later.

In the spring, a woman was deliberately pushed onto the subway tracks at Bloor-Yonge station. The victim narrowly escaped critical injuries when she was able to roll and press against the platform as the train went by. Police later arrested a 45-year-old woman and charged her with attempted murder.

Some commuters and transit-goers say they’re left with little choice but to use the subway but admit they’re concerned for their safety.

“I leave for work in the morning, and my wife tells me to be careful when I get on the [subway] train. She says to watch out for strangers, don’t stand too close to the track,” said Michael from Toronto.

“That fear would have been irrational years ago. Now, I constantly worry I might be the target of some random attack.”

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One woman says she has to take a TTC bus and subway to get to school in the city. She admits she’s anxious on almost every ride.

“It does create a pretty significant layer of stress and fear, especially as a woman,” she told CityNews, asking not to be identified. “My family worries about me. You hear of women being blatantly targeted, whether it’s stabbed or punched in the face. It’s alarming to be here every day, but I don’t have much of a choice right now.”

The most recent fatality is prompting many to call for enhanced security measures on the TTC — something the union that represents workers has already been vocal about following a string of recent attacks on employees.

Mayor John Tory said last week that he would “have to sit down” with the TTC to see what more can be done to protect the public. The TTC released a statement after Thursday’s incident, saying they would be adding “Special Constables and uniformed staff will be placed in the system.”

It’s not enough, said one rider.

“One attack will happen, another life will be lost, and the TTC will say it’s ramping up security. Weeks will pass, and it will happen again, at random,” said Delia, another woman from Toronto.

“I worry every day. Not just for me but for family members and friends that take the subway. It used to just be at night, but now it can happen at any time, anywhere. More needs to be done.”