Toronto police and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) say they’re investigating after videos of a security guard putting their knee on someone’s head around the time of a Toronto Maple Leafs game Saturday circulated on social media.
The video, which was shared on platforms like Reddit and X, appeared to show a security guard at Scotiabank Arena apprehending another person on the ground and kneeing them in the face as they restrain them, before holding their head down on the floor in a puddle of what appears to be blood. Another person is seen working to restrain the same person.
A crowd watches as this happens. Someone can be heard screaming, “Hey, come on, get off the f–cking guy man, he’s bleeding! Come on!”
CBC Toronto is working to independently verify the social media video.
Toronto police didn’t confirm the video, but said they were called to the arena at 9:48 p.m. on Saturday “for an arrest in relation to an assault.” A 37-year-old man was taken into custody, they said, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In an email to CBC Toronto, MLSE said it’s “aware of a security incident” that took place that day and is conducting a full investigation “in co-operation with Toronto Police Service.”
“Any update will be reserved pending the outcome of the investigation,” an MLSE spokesperson said.