A startling incident unfolded on a Toronto street as a man brandished a python as a weapon during an altercation, leading to his arrest and charges. The incident occurred near Dundas Street and Manning Avenue on May 10, around 11:50 pm, and was captured on camera by a bystander.
In a surprising turn of events, the man forcefully swung the python over his shoulder and used it to strike another individual multiple times before the police intervened and separated the two parties. The incident caught the attention of onlookers and was widely shared on social media.
The man involved in the altercation was identified as Laurenio Avila, aged 45. Avila was swiftly arrested at the scene and charged with assault with a weapon, as well as causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal, referring to the python used in the incident.
The Toronto Police were summoned to the scene after reports were received regarding a man who was menacing people with a live snake.
The video, which rapidly spread across social media platforms, depicted the aggressor swinging the python and repeatedly striking the other individual in the midst of the street. The victim struggled to defend himself against the unexpected attack.
However, the encounter took an abrupt turn when a police car arrived at the scene. An officer emerged from the vehicle, instructing both parties to get on the ground. In response to the command, the man promptly released the python, allowing the reptile to slither away.
Avila’s arrest led to a court appearance at the Old City Hall via a video link. He faced charges of assault with a weapon and was remanded in custody. The Toronto Police issued a statement, explaining that the incident stemmed from the man holding a python and approaching the victim, which escalated into a physical altercation where the python was employed as an unconventional weapon.
The motive behind the altercation and the source of the python remain unclear. Pythons, although non-venomous due to the absence of venom glands, are known for their constricting behavior while hunting. They can grow to significant sizes, reaching up to 33 feet in length and weighing around 250 pounds.
