3 people injured in Black Friday night stabbing at CrossIron Mills, suspects in custody

Black Friday took on a whole different meaning after a second Mall stabbing took place early Friday evening at CrossIron Mills in Balzac. 

RCMP say just before 7 p.m., they responded to reports of an incident at the mall. Upon arrival, they discovered three victims with varying degrees of injuries. 

EMS transported all three to hospital in stable condition.

Images of the event show bystanders and police helping a female victim, whose specific injuries were unknown.

Blood was left on the mall floor.

Early Saturday morning, Airdrie RCMP issued an update, saying they have taken three suspects into custody. 

Charges are pending.

Late Saturday afternoon, Airdrie RCMP issued an update stating that they are still trying to locate an unspecified number of unidentified suspects. 

They tell CTV News the stabbing was a targeted isolated incident and there's no concern for public safety.

Anyone with information or video footage is asked to contact Airdrie RCMP at 403-945-7267. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by downloading the P3 Tips app.

TWO INCIDENTS

It was the second mall stabbing of the day after an earlier incident at Market Mall. 

That earlier incident left three hospitalized and four suspects in custody.

Police also believe it was targeted. 

Mount Royal University Justice Studies Professor Doug King wants to know if the two incidents were connected. 

"It could be coincidence, but I tend not to think so," King said Saturday. "It's rare that you would get these two kinds of instances largely identical but just in two different locations."

As recent as August, violence in Calgary was down. It's slowly ticking up again this autumn. 

"As we grow, sure, we're going to get more of it," he said. "But we shouldn't see this much condensed in a couple of months."

"I think it is gang-related. I think it's organized crime-related."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Calgary police at 403-266-1234. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by downloading the P3 Tips app.