Victim of 'random attack' on CTrain recovering in hospital
A 25-year-old Calgary man is facing several charges in connection with a random stabbing that took place on a CTrain on Wednesday.
Calgary police say they were called to respond to an incident that occurred on the CTrain at approximately 6:15 a.m. on May 18.
Officials say a 65-year-old visually-impaired man was riding the train northeast bound from City Hall station when he was approached by an unknown suspect.
"He was slashed in the neck and then further assaulted in what is believed to be an unprovoked, random attack," police said in a release.
"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 then took the train to Bridgeland station, where emergency crews got on to help the victim.
He was taken to hospital in serious, but stable, condition.
When police arrived, officials say three people were initially arrested, but were later released without charge.
As the officers searched the train, an additional canine unit was deployed to track down the suspect.
The 25-year-old man was found a short distance away and arrested without further incident.
He faces charges of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public.
OTHER INCIDENTS WITH SUSPECT
Calgary police say they are withholding the name of the suspect because of the circumstances that likely led to the offences.
"Mental health, addictions and homelessness are believed to be factors in relation to the accused’s ongoing, repetitive violent behaviour targeting innocent bystanders."
While under arrest for the stabbing, police say the suspect "expressed pain" about an injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.
During the visit, officials say he attacked the doctor.
Officials say the 25-year-old man was also arrested six days earlier in connection with an incident at the Somerset/Bridlewood LRT station.
Following a physical and mental health assessment, he was released into hospital care on the condition that he not return to that particular LRT station.
Acting Supt. Scott Todd of the Calgary Police Service says their thoughts are with the victim and his family and all residents of Calgary have the right to feel safe while using public transit.
"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," he said in a release.
Todd says the CPS continues to work with the City of Calgary when it comes to safety concerns on the CTrain and other forms of public transit.
"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."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.