Woman faces charges in chair-tossing incident

A 19-year-old woman who allegedly tossed a chair off the balcony of a downtown Toronto highrise turned herself in to police to face multiple charges on Wednesday, after video of the incident circulated widely online.

Police had launched a public appeal for help identifying the woman after the clip sparked outrage earlier this week.

Const. David Hopkinson said police had received a slew of tips about the case.

“It’s a very callous thing,” he said of the alleged incident. “You could kill somebody. I don’t believe anyone looks at that and doesn’t say that’s ridiculous.”

Marcella Zoia of Toronto is charged with one count each of mischief endangering life, mischief endangering property under $5,000 and common nuisance.

Her lawyer said she was embarrassed and understands the public anger generated by the alleged incident.

“She wishes it never happened,” Greg Leslie told reporters after his client was granted bail. “Of course, she would never wish anybody would be hurt.”

Police said the incident took place on Saturday when the woman allegedly threw a chair and other items from a balcony high up in a condo that faces a major highway.

Investigators said the chair landed in front of the building, and there were no reports of injuries.

Hopkinson said the apartment the furniture was allegedly tossed from was being used as a “short-term rental property” but could not say which company it was rented through.

Airbnb said Wednesday that it has contacted Toronto police and offered its support in the investigation.

The company said it has no evidence that the woman was an Airbnb user but it has suspended the account of a guest with a reservation at that building pending further review.

“We remain outraged by the blatant disregard for community safety on display in the video,” the company said in a statement.

Toronto Mayor John Tory condemned the alleged actions, saying they can’t be tolerated.

“This was not just something that was sort of a lark gone bad,” he said. “It was grossly irresponsible behaviour that could have caused serious injury and death.”