CBC Journalist Michael Finlay Reportedly Died After An Attack In Toronto's Danforth Area

Michael Finlay, a veteran CBC journalist, has reportedly 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. 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 Services (TPS) press release that doesn't identify Finlay, 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 allegedly encountered Finlay and assaulted him.

He fled on foot after Finlay fell to the ground and "sustained serious injuries." TPS are still trying to locate the suspect.

He is described as a male in his 20s with a slender build and about six feet tall. He was last spotted sporting a red paper mask with flames, black leggings and a black pullover.

Author and former longtime CBC journalist, Jeffrey Dvorkin turned to Twitter to honour his colleauge. He called Finlay "one of the greatest CBC radio documentary makers and foreign editors."

Dvorkin also explained the details of Finlay's assault in a follow-up tweet. Toronto Police haven't confirmed these details.

"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.

The attack on Finlay joins a growing list of recent violent encounters in Toronto, most notably on public transit.

Just the 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 who was left with serious injuries.

Toronto Mayor John Tory called for a National Mental Health Summit on January 25, with leaders from all levels of government to address the recent violence in the city.

TPS confirmed to Narcity in an email that the victim has passed away but couldn't corroborate if the attack was of random nature.