It happened in broad daylight. June 17, 2022. At Kipling Station in Toronto, a place where thousands of people just try to get to work or go home, the unthinkable occurred. A man poured a flammable liquid on a woman he didn’t even know and set her on fire.
She died.
Nyima Dolma was only 28 years old. She was a caregiver. She was someone’s daughter and sister, and her life ended because of a random, senseless act of violence that shook the city to its core. When we talk about the man sets woman on fire subway incident, we aren't just talking about a headline. We are talking about a moment that fundamentally changed how people feel about public transit safety in North America.
What Actually Happened at Kipling Station?
The details are harrowing. Tenzin Norbu, who was 33 at the time, approached Dolma on a TTC bus at the Kipling station terminal. There was no provocation. No prior relationship. No heated argument that escalated. According to the agreed statement of facts presented in court, Norbu simply walked up, doused her with lighter fluid, and flicked a lighter.
She became a human fireball.
The witnesses described a scene of pure chaos. People tried to help, but the injuries were catastrophic. Dolma suffered full-thickness burns over a massive portion of her body. She spent weeks in the hospital fighting for her life before eventually succumbing to her injuries in July.
It’s hard to wrap your head around that kind of cruelty. Honestly, it’s the kind of thing you expect in a horror movie, not at a transit hub in a city often ranked as one of the safest in the world.
The Legal Fallout and the NCR Ruling
In 2024, the legal system finally reached a conclusion, but it wasn't the one many people wanted. Tenzin Norbu was found "not criminally responsible" (NCR).
Why? Because experts testified that he was suffering from untreated schizophrenia. He was in a state of active psychosis. In his mind, he wasn't attacking a random woman; he believed he was fighting a "white-eyed" demon. This is where the legal system gets complicated. To be found guilty of a crime like first-degree murder in Canada, you have to have the capacity to understand that what you are doing is wrong.
The court found that Norbu didn't have that capacity.
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Instead of a life sentence in prison, he was sent to a psychiatric hospital. This sparked a massive debate. On one side, you have the medical and legal experts who argue that punishing the mentally ill doesn't serve justice. On the other, you have a grieving family and a terrified public who feel like a killer got a "pass."
Why the Subway Fire Attack Became a Turning Point
This wasn't just an isolated tragedy. It was the spark that ignited a firestorm of criticism against the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and city officials.
For years, riders had been complaining about a decline in safety. They pointed to an increase in random attacks, open drug use, and a general sense of lawlessness on the platforms. When the man sets woman on fire subway news broke, it became the symbol for everything that was going wrong.
- People stopped taking the subway.
- The TTC had to hire more "outreach" workers.
- The city eventually deployed more police officers to patrol the stations.
But did it work? Not really. Even after the Kipling attack, other incidents followed. A woman was stabbed to death at High Park station. A teen was killed at Keele. It felt like the floodgates had opened.
The Mental Health Crisis on Transit
We have to be real about the situation. The subway has become a de facto shelter for people with nowhere else to go. When the shelters are full and the streets are cold, the trains are warm.
The Kipling attacker, Norbu, was a man who had fallen through every possible crack in the system. He had a history of mental health issues. He had been in and out of hospitals. Yet, there he was, wandering a transit station with a bottle of lighter fluid.
The nuance here is important. Not every person struggling with mental health is a threat. In fact, they are statistically more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. But when someone is in a profound state of psychosis, the lack of intervention becomes a public safety issue.
Addressing the Misconceptions
People often get things wrong about this case. You'll see comments on social media saying it was a "hate crime" or a "targeted domestic incident."
It wasn't.
Investigations confirmed there was no prior link between Norbu and Dolma. It was truly random. That is what makes it so terrifying. If it can happen to her, it can happen to anyone.
Another misconception is that "Not Criminally Responsible" means he just walked away. That's not how it works. An NCR designation means the person is held in a secure facility indefinitely. They are only released if a Review Board determines they are no longer a threat to the public. For someone who committed an act this violent, that process usually takes many, many years—if it happens at all.
Comparing Global Incidents
While the Toronto case is the most prominent when searching for a man sets woman on fire subway, it isn't the only one.
In 2016, a similar horror occurred in Brisbane, Australia. A bus driver named Manmeet Alisher was set on fire by a passenger while stopped at a station. Like the Toronto case, the attacker was found to be suffering from severe mental illness.
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In New York City, transit violence has taken different forms—shovings, stabbings, and even a mass shooting in Brooklyn in 2022. But the "fire" element adds a visceral layer of terror that other weapons don't. It’s an incredibly cruel way to hurt someone.
The Impact on the Tibetan Community
Nyima Dolma was a member of the Tibetan community in Toronto. This group is tight-knit and resilient. For them, this wasn't just a news story; it was a loss of one of their brightest lights.
The community rallied. They held vigils. They demanded answers. They also had to navigate the complex feelings of the attacker also being of Tibetan descent. It was a double tragedy for a community that prides itself on peace and compassion.
The family’s lawyer, Aris Chronopoulos, has been vocal about the need for more accountability. He pointed out that the system failed both the victim and the perpetrator by allowing a dangerous situation to escalate to the point of murder.
How Transit Safety is Changing (Or Not)
So, what has actually changed since the man sets woman on fire subway attack?
- Increased Surveillance: Most major transit systems, including the TTC, have dumped millions into better camera tech. They want to be able to track suspects in real-time.
- Specialized Response Teams: Instead of just sending cops, some cities are trying "Crisis Response" teams. These are social workers trained to de-escalate people in mental health crises.
- Physical Barriers: There is a growing push for platform screen doors. These are the glass walls you see in cities like Paris or Tokyo. They prevent people from being pushed onto tracks, though they wouldn't necessarily stop a fire attack.
The reality is that these are all "band-aid" solutions. As long as people are living in psychosis on the streets, the risk remains.
What You Should Know About Transit Safety
If you’re feeling anxious about riding the subway, you aren't alone. Anxiety levels among commuters are at an all-time high.
Experts suggest a few practical things. Stay aware of your surroundings. If someone is acting erratically, move to another car or leave the area. Most subway cars have an emergency alarm (the yellow strip). Use it.
But honestly? You shouldn't have to be a tactical expert just to get to work.
The Kipling station attack was a failure of the mental health system, the legal system, and the transit authority all at once. It was a "perfect storm" of neglect that cost a young woman her life.
Actionable Steps for Personal and Public Safety
While we can't control the actions of others, we can advocate for systemic changes and stay informed. Here is how you can actually make a difference or stay safer.
Advocate for Proper Mental Health Funding
Write to your local representatives. The NCR ruling in the Kipling case happened because a man wasn't getting the help he needed before he became a threat. Closing large psychiatric institutions without providing community support was a mistake that cities are still paying for.
Learn Your Transit System’s Safety Features
Most people don't know where the emergency intercoms are or how to report a non-emergency issue via text. Check your local transit website. For example, the TTC has the "SafeTTC" app. Download it. It’s better to have it and not need it.
Support the Victim’s Legacy
The Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre often holds events or memorials. Supporting these organizations helps keep Nyima Dolma’s memory alive and supports the community she loved.
Understand the Legal Reality
Read up on the "Not Criminally Responsible" laws in your jurisdiction. Knowledge is the best defense against the misinformation that spreads on social media after these high-profile cases. Understanding that NCR is a medical detention, not a "get out of jail free" card, helps ground the conversation in facts rather than just outrage.
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Don't Ignore "Yellow Flags"
If you see someone in a station who is clearly in distress or behaving aggressively, don't just walk past. Inform a transit worker or security immediately. You might be preventing the next tragedy.
The story of the man sets woman on fire subway is one of the darkest chapters in modern urban history. It’s a reminder that our public spaces are only as safe as the most vulnerable people within them. We owe it to Nyima Dolma to make sure this never happens again.
Stay vigilant. Stay informed. Demand better from the people in charge of our cities.
Next Steps for Safety Awareness:
- Check your local transit authority’s website for "Emergency Procedures."
- Follow local crime reporting from reputable outlets to understand trends in your specific neighborhood.
- Support local mental health initiatives that focus on street outreach and crisis intervention.