Toronto police are currently reviewing the events surrounding a controversial arrest that was caught on video, which showed a police cruiser inadvertently running over both a suspect and an officer during what has been labeled a "botched" arrest by a local attorney. The incident occurred in the parking lot of Jane Park Plaza, located at 883 Jane Street, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, around 3:30 p.m. Police were responding to reports of a woman armed with two large knives, reportedly slashing the tires of police vehicles.

In a social media post, the Toronto police warned the public to avoid the area, stating that the suspect was in custody but were unaware of the shocking circumstances surrounding the arrest until the video footage surfaced. The situation escalated when the police encountered the armed woman, who, according to the police, had already punctured one police vehicle’s tire.

Footage shared on social media platforms such as Instagram reveals the events leading up to the incident. Officers can be seen pursuing the woman as she walks in the parking lot near a Tim Hortons coffee shop. As she moves, an officer deploys a conducted energy weapon (CEW), causing her to fall to the ground directly in the path of a police cruiser. The officer operating the cruiser exits the vehicle in an effort to assist with the arrest; however, the cruiser was not securely parked, leading it to inch forward.

Despite the efforts of officers to control the situation, the cruiser unexpectedly moved, ultimately running over both the woman and another officer who was trying to help. In the background, an officer can be heard yelling, “stop resisting,” while attempting to secure the suspect in handcuffs. A graphic content warning accompanies the video footage, as the events depict a chaotic and distressing exchange between police and the suspect.

A separate video posted on YouTube offers additional context, showing the suspect pacing anxiously in the parking lot with the knives before lunging at a passing police cruiser and stabbing one of its tires. Twenty-five seconds later, she can be seen taking multiple jabs at another police vehicle’s tire. Following the deployment of the CEW, at least one of the knives was heard dropping to the ground.

While the police acknowledged the alarming nature of the captured footage, they reported that there were no serious injuries resulting from the incident. A police spokesperson explained that the CEW was implemented to safely disarm the woman and maintain control of the situation. However, they confirmed an officer's vehicle unintentionally rolled forward, colliding with both the suspect and another officer.

The police confirmed that both individuals involved were assessed by paramedics at the scene and that neither sustained serious injuries from the vehicle. The suspect was transported to the hospital for further examination post-CEW deployment, in accordance with the department’s procedures. They expressed gratitude that the situation did not result in more severe injuries and that they are actively reviewing the unfolding circumstances.

Brian Callanan, vice president of the Toronto Police Association, also commented on the occurrence. He expressed relief that none of the officers sustained significant injuries and reiterated that the woman did not suffer any serious harm from the police vehicle, although she was transported to the hospital due to the Taser deployment.

Nevertheless, Toronto attorney David Shellnutt voiced his concern over the incident, characterizing it as a “botched arrest” and questioning whether police had followed appropriate protocols. He criticized the officers for positioning the vehicle too close to the arrest and failing to ensure it was parked or turned off, calling it “incredibly dangerous.” He emphasized that the actions exhibited gross negligence, suggesting that the City of Toronto and the Toronto police could face potential liability as a result. Shellnutt expressed compassion for officers handling such volatile situations, but he insisted that the way this arrest was executed raised significant questions about police training in managing individuals in distress.