Michael Finlay, a veteran CBC journalist, has died from "medical complications" following an assault in Toronto's Danforth Area.
The family of Finlay confirmed with CBC News that the journalist died on Tuesday, January 31. They reported that his death resulted from injuries sustained during an incident on January 24.
Finlay worked with CBC as a radio producer and editor for 31 years before retiring in 2010, the public broadcaster stated.
According to a Toronto Police Service (TPS) press release, the assault took place on January 24 at 3:35 p.m. in the Danforth Avenue and Jones Avenue area.
TPS reported that the suspect encountered Finlay and assaulted him.
The assailant fled on foot after Finlay fell to the ground and "sustained serious injuries."
Author and former-longtime CBC journalist Jeffrey Dvorkin, turned to Twitter to honour his colleague. He called Finlay "one of the greatest CBC radio documentary makers and foreign editors."
\u201cOne of the greatest CBC radio documentary makers and foreign editor was Michael Finlay. He was the victim of a random attack on the streets of Toronto in mid-afternoon a week ago. Michael died in hospital tonight. His perp has not been apprehended.\u201d— Jeffrey Dvorkin (@Jeffrey Dvorkin) 1675214715
Dvorkin laid out the alleged details of Finlay's assault in a follow-up tweet.
"He was grocery shopping along the Danforth when some bastard pushed him from behind, and he fell, hit his head and broke some ribs," Dvorkin wrote.
This attack joins a growing list of recent violent encounters in Toronto, most notably on public transit.
Just last week, Toronto saw several violent incidents that included a swarming assault on TTC employees by a group of 13-year-olds and a stabbing of a woman on a streetcar, she was left with serious injuries.
On January 25, Toronto Mayor John Tory called for a National Mental Health Summit with leaders from all levels of government to address the recent violence in the city.
TPS said in a release on Friday that a suspect has been identified as 43-year-old Robert Robin Cropearedwolf of Toronto.
A warrant has been issued for Cropearedwolf, and Toronto Police say he is wanted for manslaughter.*
*This article has been updated to reflect new developments since it was originally published on February 1, 2023.
