Man blinded in one eye by ice-pick wielder at College subway

Police charge man with aggravated assault following chase through station

A man has been charged after a random, unprovoked ice-pick stabbing at College subway station this week left the 60-year-old victim blind in one eye, Toronto police said.

The victim and 27-year-old suspect do not know each other.

“One of the stab wounds penetrated his brain cavity,” Toronto police Const. David Hopkinson said Wednesday. “He has lost sight in one of his eyes. I don’t know if that’s temporary or permanent. It’s quite bad.”

The incident happened at about 12:40 p.m. Monday when a man approached the victim, who was sitting on the train.

It’s not clear what led to the altercation, but the alleged assailant “produced an ice pick” and stabbed him several times, Toronto police said in a news release.

The victim was in critical condition, with “quite a bit of a messy situation” on the subway platform, said Toronto police Const. Allyson DouglasCook on Monday. The station was closed for several hours afterward.

The suspect tried to flee the scene, but was arrested by TTC constables after a short chase through the station.

The victim was rushed to hospital, where his condition stabilized. Hopkinson said the man remains in critical condition.

Thomas Sommerville of Toronto is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and carrying a concealed weapon.

Sommerville appeared in court Tuesday morning.