As many of you may know, there was a hostage situation at Union Station this morning. What you may not know, is that I work in Toronto and come/go at Union every day.

Well, this morning at about 8:30 I got a call from my mother while on the train telling me about the situation. At first it was just that there was a shooting nearby, and it might be crazy. About twenty minutes later, as I was just getting off the train, she called back and said there was a hostage taken on Front St and nobody was allowed out of Union. Well, she was right. The whole place was locked down. Nobody in, nobody out.

I have to travel to the subway in order to get to work, so I went along my normal route. There was one door open, and they were directing people through PATH, the tunnels underground downtown. In order to get where we were being directed, we had to step outside for a brief moment. Just as I was heading outside, and between the two doors there was a gunshot than rang out. Right above us. Terror set in, and I quickened my pace. I called my mother to put her fears to rest telling her about it, and that we were being directed to King St. Station because Union was closed.

I couldn't find King, and was told by my brother later that it's sort of hidden and hard to find. Well, I walked to Queen St. Station instead, my legs shaking with every step. I eventually made it into work, 30 minutes late, and checked my voicemail. One message, from my mother, confirming the shot I heard was the death of the man holding the hostage, and that the woman taken hostage was safe.

I sat down and started streaming 680 News to find out exactly what happened. I was directed to the video above by a friend later and watched it. I walk across that spot every day. EVERY SINGLE DAY... and if my train was on time, who knows. I'm still shaking. I assure you it is an event I will never forget.

 

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