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
BREAKING Shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion, 1 person seriously injured: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.