A courageous act by a Toronto Transit Commission rider is being hailed as heroic after he directly confronted a man brandishing a knife on a subway train, successfully de-escalating a potentially violent situation. The incident occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Glencairn Station.
Confrontation on the TTC
According to reports, at approximately 2:32 p.m., a male passenger was seen walking through a subway car while carrying a blade. Instead of retreating or waiting for police, an unidentified man in a toque and winter jacket chose to intervene. Witnesses and video footage suggest the brave rider approached the armed individual and engaged him in a calm but firm conversation.
He reportedly told the man it was unacceptable to walk around the train with a knife and reminded him that security cameras were recording the entire scene. His reasoned negotiation proved effective. Other alert passengers simultaneously pulled the train's emergency alarm, halting it at the station. Following the confrontation, the suspect with the knife exited the train onto the platform and stairs leading to Viewmount Avenue.
Police Arrest and Charges
Toronto Police responded swiftly to multiple reports made through the TTC's SafeTTC app. Officers located and arrested a suspect at the scene. Police spokesperson Constable Laurie McCann confirmed the arrest, noting thankfully that no injuries were reported.
Police have charged Justin Goulbourne, 20, of Toronto, with one count of carrying a weapon dangerous to public peace and one count of failure to comply with a probation order. These charges have not yet been tested in court. The accused was scheduled for a bail hearing at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on the day of the arrest.
A Shift in Public Response to Crime?
The incident has sparked discussion about public willingness to intervene during criminal acts on transit. TTC spokesperson Stuart Green commended the passengers' actions, stating they "did the right thing" by activating the emergency strip and reporting the incident, which allowed the train to be held for police.
This event stands in contrast to other recent, violent TTC attacks, such as the July 2023 stabbing of Derek Dyckhoff, who survived after fighting back, and the tragic killing of Iryna Zarutska on a U.S. train where no one intervened. Columnist Joe Warmington notes a potential cultural shift, suggesting people in the Greater Toronto Area are increasingly "fed up" and prepared to stand up against threats in public spaces.
The article references broader sentiments, including Premier Doug Ford's past comments in support of "stand your ground" measures and Toronto City Councillor Brad Bradford's admission that he keeps a baseball bat for home protection. The heroic actions at Glencairn Station demonstrate how civilian courage, combined with swift reporting, can prevent tragedy on Toronto's transit system.
