Woman saved by Doo Doo the Clown says attack was no laughing matter

A woman saved by Doo Doo the Clown from a viciousassault earlier this week in downtown Toronto has told her story to CBC News, and it was no laughing matter.

"This guy was walking towards us and the first thing that stuck me was that he had no shoes on. He was in bare feet and it was really cold ... and I thought that was pretty strange," DianeSonnenbergsaid.

Sonnenbergwas walking nearFront StreetWest andBathurstStreetwith a friend Sunday when the assault happened.

"Just as he passed us, he lashed out and hit us, hit me and startled me I screamed."

It was then thatDoo Doo the Clown in his clown carcame out of nowhere to save the day.Sonnenbergsaidshe was shaken up but not traumatized by the event.

WARNING: Contains strong language. Doo Doo the Clown's dash cam captures moment when attacker jumps on SUV.

9 years ago

Duration 0:32

WARNING: Contains strong language. Doo Doo the Clown's dash cam captures moment when attacker jumps on SUV."I remember hearing somebody yelling 'get in the car, get in the car, this man is dangerous,'"Sonnenbergexplained. "The guy went crazy and he wanted to get into the car so he started ripping the door ripping off my mirror. They say this is the hardest mirror to rip off a car," she continued.

Dash cam videoofthe events downtownwent viral, and Doo Doo, who is also known as Shane Farberman,was givenan award for bravery byCoun. Norm Kelly.

• Doo Doo the Clown honoured for bravery

"You could tell this guy was pretty crazed and I was worried because he seemed to have, like,super-human strength," Sonnenberg said.

The woman was unaware at the time that Doo Doo had been on the phone with police after seeing the manjump on cars. He followed the man until police arrived.

Sonnenberg said her husband wasn't buying her story and thought she was clowning around.

"He didn't believe me," she said, adding he thought she was pulling his leg with the clown references.

But the clowns were no laughing matter on that day.The seemingly-crazed man ended up being detained by police, who say he's a 25-year-old who was allegedly under the influence of crystal meth at the time of the incident.

"I think the outcome would have been a lot different had they not been there," the woman said.