Calgary Brothers Admit Guilt in Vicious Transit Driver Assault
Two brothers from Calgary have entered guilty pleas this week in connection with a brutal attack on a city bus driver that occurred last May. The violent incident has left the victim, 67-year-old Amarjit Grewal, unable to return to work nearly nine months later.
Court Proceedings Reveal Disturbing Details
Darryl Flett pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, while his brother Curtis Baker Spence admitted to robbery charges the previous day. Both men remain in custody awaiting sentencing scheduled for May 4.
During court proceedings, Crown prosecutor Greg Piper presented a statement of agreed facts that detailed the disturbing sequence of events. According to the evidence, the brothers boarded Grewal's bus shortly after 1 a.m. on May 14 near the intersection of Falconridge Boulevard and Castleridge Boulevard N.E.
The initial interaction appeared routine when Grewal politely informed the brothers they were on the wrong bus for their intended destination of McKnight and directed them to the correct stop. They exited the vehicle without apparent incident.
Violent Attack Unfolds After Driver Investigates Noise
Moments after Grewal pulled away from the stop, he heard a loud noise coming from his bus. Concerned that something had struck the vehicle, the experienced driver pulled over and exited his protective enclosure to investigate.
This decision to leave the safety of his driver's compartment proved fateful. When Grewal stepped off the bus, he encountered one of the brothers in a nearby shelter who immediately approached and demanded his phone.
As Grewal turned to return to the safety of his bus, he was struck from behind just as he reached the vehicle's door. What followed was a sustained and vicious assault that has had lasting consequences for the veteran transit operator.
Weapons Used in Sustained Assault
Court documents reveal that Baker Spence repeatedly struck Grewal with a collapsible baton while demanding his phone, which he ultimately took from the driver. Flett then joined the assault, attacking Grewal with an edged weapon, striking him repeatedly in the upper body and head.
The severity of the injuries sustained during this attack has prevented Grewal from returning to work, according to statements made in court. The prosecutor emphasized that the driver continues to suffer from the effects of the assault nearly nine months later.
Union Response Highlights Ongoing Safety Concerns
Outside the Calgary Courts Centre, Mike Mahar, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 583, expressed support for Grewal while highlighting broader safety concerns affecting transit workers. Union members attended the court proceedings to demonstrate solidarity with their injured colleague.
Mahar wore a pin bearing the message "Assault a transit operator go to jail" during his court appearance, underscoring the union's position on violence against public transportation workers.
"The impact is tremendous and this isn't the first operator that has been off work for a great deal of time," Mahar told reporters. "We have dozens and dozens that don't come back after serious assaults."
Systemic Vulnerabilities for Transit Workers
The union president emphasized the unique vulnerabilities faced by transit operators, noting that their predictable schedules and late-night working hours create inherent risks. "There isn't another industry where you're in the same situation as a transit operator," Mahar explained. "They're working alone, they're isolated, they're always going into predictable places."
This sentiment reflects ongoing concerns about workplace safety for public transportation employees across Canada, particularly those working evening and overnight shifts.
Sentencing Considerations and Next Steps
Defence counsel for both brothers have requested presentence reports, with Flett's lawyer specifically asking for an assessment of his client's Indigenous background. The Crown prosecutor has additionally requested psychological risk assessments for both defendants before sentencing.
Justice Frederick Fisher will consider these reports along with the severity of the crime and its impact on the victim when determining appropriate sentences for both brothers in May. The case has drawn attention to the serious consequences of violence against public service workers and the ongoing challenges in ensuring their safety.
