'It was chaos': Violent fight on board CTrain forces passengers into Calgary LRT tunnel
A CTrain was forced to stop in the middle of a tunnel in downtown Calgary following an assault Tuesday night.
At about 11 p.m., Calgary police were called to 36 Avenue and Burnsland Road S.E.
Officials told CTV News they were called to the CTrain for reports of a stabbing after it left the Erlton-Stampede station.
The train car was in a tunnel at the time of the incident, and officers had to run down the tunnel to respond.
"Everyone started jumping out of the car, and we saw cops with huge rifles," said one witness.
"It was really scary."
Police say the initial calls to 911 reported multiple stabbings.
"It sounded like what we had was an active assailant that was with multiple victims," said Calgary Police Service Supt. Cliff O’Brien
"The officers put aside their own safety to rush into a dark tunnel to try to locate this individual on a train where there's lots of community members. It's not ideal."
When police arrived, they found that no one had been stabbed, but one man sustained minor injuries, and a 26-year-old man was arrested a short time later. It's unknown if the pair knew each other.
"A passenger activated the emergency stop, causing the train to come to a stop inside the tunnel between Victoria Park and City Hall stations," police said in a release.
As a result, approximately 100 passengers needed to get off the train and walk about 1.5 kilometres to exit the tunnel.
Witnesses say the train cars were completely full following a concert at the Saddledome.
"We were cruising down the train when suddenly someone said, 'This guy's got a knife,' and everyone started pushing back and forth, and we were essentially crammed into the very back," said Harlod Mejia, who was in the first train car at the time of the incident.
"It was chaos. Eventually, a bunch of amazing guys pinned him down, and I think he still had a knife, so just the fact that he had a knife and they were brave enough to do that, we appreciate them."
Southbound trains were stopped to ensure the safety of the passengers walking in the tunnel.
"Everybody started pushing back, trying to get out of the way, and I thought someone had just thrown up on the train, so I tapped this one girl on the back to ask her what had happened, and she said, 'Someone just got stabbed. Someone has a knife on the train', said Lacey Rasmussen.
"We all just stood there for a few minutes because the guy had been tackled to the ground and the knife had been pulled away from him, but then the announcer came on to tell us that we had to evacuate the train."
Officials are advising anyone who witnessed the incident to consider contacting the Calgary Police Service's victim assistance support team by calling 403-428-8398.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information who has not already spoken with police is encouraged to contact them by calling 403-266-1234.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Amber Alert issued for 2 toddlers near Quebec City
Police have issued an Amber Alert for two children who have gone missing from near Quebec City.
Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake' after Rafah strike kills dozens of Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a "tragic mistake" had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and, according to local officials, killed at least 45 people.
Mike Tyson had medical issue on cross-country flight
Boxing legend Mike Tyson required medical attention after experiencing an 'ulcer flare up' toward the end of a cross-country flight Sunday, his representatives confirmed to the New York Post.
Why Canada's big grocery stores are under investigation
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
Indigo Books & Music shareholders vote to approve privatization sale
Indigo Books & Music Inc. shareholders have voted to approve a deal that will see the retailer become a private company.
Quebec police investigating after entire herd of 75 cattle allegedly stolen
Quebec provincial police are investigating after an entire herd of about 75 cattle were allegedly stolen in the Eastern Townships region last week.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Canada pledges visas for 5,000 Gaza residents related to Canadians
Canada said on Monday it would grant temporary visas to 5,000 Gaza residents under a special program for Canadians' relatives living in the war-torn enclave, a preparatory move in case they are able to leave in the future.