Despite fleeing a CTrain in transit, a suspect believed to be responsible for randomly stabbing a 65-year-old visually-impaired man, was caught by the Calgary Police Service Canine Unit shortly after.
Around 6:15 a.m., on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, a man was standing on a northeast bound train that had just left City Hall station when he was slashed in the neck and then further assaulted in what is believed to be an unprovoked, random attack.
The victim made his way to the front of the train and notified the driver, who stopped the train in the area of Riverfront Avenue to call for help. While the train was stopped on the tracks, the suspect forced the train doors open and fled on foot.
The driver re-started the train and continued to the Bridgeland station to meet emergency services. The victim was transported to hospital by EMS in serious but stable condition.
District 3 patrol officers arrived at the station and took three people into custody who were initially thought to be involved. They were later released without charges. While patrol officers dealt with the train, Canine Unit officers were deployed to the area where the suspect was believed to have fled. The suspect was promptly located and taken into custody.
The 25-year-old accused has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public. He remains in custody pending his next court appearance today, Thursday, May 19, 2022.
The suspect in this case was arrested and charged by Calgary Police Service officers six days before this incident in relation to an attempted robbery and uttering threats at another CTrain station. The man was transported to the Arrest Processing Section before being transported to a medical facility for further assessment and treatment. Based on his physical and mental health assessment, as well as the criteria established under Bill C75, the man was released into hospital care on a Form 10 undertaking with conditions not to go to Somerset/Bridlewood LRT station.
During his arrest in relation to the stabbing, the accused expressed pain in relation to an injury. He was transported to hospital for assessment and treatment, during which he attempted to physically assault the doctor. The man was determined by medical staff to be fit for cells and released into police custody where he remained pending his court appearance today.
Mental health, addictions and homelessness are believed to be factors in relation to the accused’s ongoing, repetitive violent behaviour targeting innocent bystanders.
“We have chosen not to name the suspect in this media release to allow us to talk more freely about the circumstances that are at the core of this case, and many others we have recently seen,” says Acting Superintendent Scott Todd.
“Our thoughts are with the victim and his family as he recovers from this senseless attack. Random attacks by their very nature are impossible to predict and difficult to prevent, however, we will find those responsible and hold them accountable to the best of our ability.
“All Calgarians have the right to feel safe when accessing public transit and we are working with our partners at The City of Calgary to identify solutions that would address the complex social challenges we are seeing. When we have resources available, we have made transit a priority for proactive patrols. This is not a problem that is unique to Calgary, and we are working with our policing partners in other jurisdictions on solutions that balance public safety with supporting vulnerable members of our communities.”
