WARMINGTON: Former CBC producer dies after random assault in Toronto

These random knock-out style attacks on people merely walking down the street are scaring people as much as the gunplay that is now plaguing Toronto.

And they should be scared. It’s an ugly trend that Toronto has to get a handle on. People do not feel safe.

Toronto Police were already searching for the thug who pushed a man to the ground on Danforth Ave. on Jan. 24, putting him in hospital with a crushed lung and head wounds. Now that the victim has died, will the original assault investigation be upgraded to a homicide?

That’s what happened with the guy who allegedly pushed an 89-year-old woman to her death late last month on Yonge St. We still don’t know who that poor soul was. She must have been so scared.

We do know the identity of the victim of the Jan. 24 attack: respected longtime CBC radio producer Michael Finlay. He was merely on Danforth Ave., near Jones Ave., when he was pushed face first to the ground.

He died Tuesday. The man responsible is still on the loose.

“We are aware the victim has since tragically passed away,” Toronto Police Const. Caroline de Kloet said Wednesday. “The investigation is ongoing.”

You better believe it is. Police put out a clear picture and if you recognize that person, call police immediately.

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“The suspect is described as male, 6-foot, in his 20s, with a slim build,” say police. “He was last seen wearing a red paper mask with flames on it, a black sweater, and black pants.”

Going out for a walk is not a sure thing anymore.

CBC spokesperson Chuck Thompson said Finlay retired from the CBC in 2010 after 31 years.

“Michael will be remembered as an exceptional storyteller, documentary-maker and editor” who “travelled the world producing radio documentaries for several programs but most notably for Sunday Morning,” Thompson said.

Finlay “was also a driving force behind Dispatches, a documentary program that showcased the best of CBC’s foreign correspondents and freelancers across the globe. Every week for 12 seasons, it lived up to its promise to listeners to ‘bring you the world.’”

Thompson said Finlay was later an “editor at World At Six. Michael was known for knowing everything about every news story here at home and abroad. He pushed journalists and producers to tell great stories, and they knew he always had their back in the field” and ”had strong convictions about writing, story and structure. Every reporter he ever worked with said their story was made better because of Michael.”

Finlay always wanted to see stories completed. His will not be finished until the scumbag responsible for his death is caught.

jwarmington@postmedia.com