Man Faces Murder Charge After Woman Set on Fire on Toronto Bus

Police tape is shown in Toronto on May 2, 2017. Graeme Roy/The Canadian Press

A first-degree murder charge has been laid against a man after a woman was set on fire on a Toronto bus and died of her injuries weeks later.

The fatal alleged assault of Nyima Dolma occurred on June 17 at around 12:20 p.m. aboard a Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus near the Kipling Subway Station area, according to a statement released by Toronto Police Service (TPS) on July 11.

Tenzin Norbu, the 33-year-old suspect from Toronto, allegedly poured a flammable liquid on Dolma and set it on fire, causing the woman to burn. The fire was put out and the victim was sent to hospital but suffered life-threatening injuries, police said.

In an update on July 11, police said Norbu is now charged with first-degree murder after Dolma “succumbed to her injuries” and was pronounced deceased on July 5.

Norbu was previously charged with attempted murder, assault with a weapon, common nuisance endangering the lives, safety, or health of the public, and mischief over $5,000 interfering with property.

The TPS Homicide Squad has taken over the investigation, police said.

Dolma, 28, was a professional caregiver and was on her way to work when the tragic events occurred, according to her sister, Dawa.

On July 6, Dawa confirmed her sister’s death in a message on a GoFundMe campaign set up a week prior to collect donations for Dolma’s medical treatment. The donation campaign was paused on July 7, as Dawa said the nearly $40,000 raised was enough to cover the expenses, and the funds would now be used for Dolma’s funeral.

“To my sister, we love you and we miss you. We wish her soul to rest in peace,” Dawa said.

Police said their investigations found no relationship between the victim and the assailant.

While the police didn’t comment on a motive, they previously said that the case was being treated as a “suspected hate-motivated offence,” after consulting TPS’s specialized hate crime unit.

Norbu appeared in a Toronto court on the morning of July 11 via video link.