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
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.