A man accused in the “unprovoked,” fatal assault of an 89-year-old woman in downtown Toronto was wanted by police on an outstanding warrant stemming from an alleged assault in 2020, court documents show.
Ryan Cunneen, 37, had been wanted by Toronto police after failing to appear in court for allegedly assaulting another man in February 2020, according to court documents.
No further details are included in the documents, but a bench warrant for his arrest was issued in May 2021. That assault charge is still before the court.
Cunneen has now been charged with manslaughter in the death of an 89-year-old woman who was allegedly pushed to the ground and died of her injuries.
According to Toronto police, the woman was walking on a sidewalk near Yonge Street and King Street East, in Toronto’s financial district, just after 11:30 a.m. last Friday when the “unprovoked” attack occurred.
“She was pushed to the ground. She sustained serious injuries to her head and face area,” Toronto police Insp. Craig Young told reporters following the attack.
“She was just simply walking along the sidewalk.”
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Global News is not identifying the victim pending notification of next-of-kin by police.
The suspect fled the scene but was later arrested “without incident,” police said.
Prior to the deadly assault, the suspect is accused of throwing a brick through the window of a Subway restaurant in the Church Street and Front Street East area, according to court documents.
Cunneen was originally charged with aggravated assault but is now facing a charge of manslaughter, police said Tuesday. He’s also charged with mischief under $5,000.
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