A 25-year-old man from Calgary faces several charges in connection with a random stabbing in CTtrain on Wednesday.
Calgary police say they were called in to respond to an incident at CTtrain around 6:15 a.m. on May 18.
Officials say a 65-year-old visually impaired man was riding on a train northeast of the town hall station when he was approached by an unknown suspect.
“He was cut in the neck and then further attacked in what is considered an unprovoked, arbitrary attack,” police said in a statement.
“The victim went to the front of the train and informed the driver, who stopped the train in the Riverfront Avenue area to call for help. While the train was stopped on the tracks, the suspect opened the train doors and fled on foot. “
The driver then took the train to Bridgeland Station, where ambulance crews boarded to help the victim.
He was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
When police arrived, officers said three people were initially arrested but later released without charge.
While officers search the train, an additional dog team is deployed to track down the suspects.
The 25-year-old man was found a short distance away and arrested without further incident.
He is accused of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon dangerous to society.
OTHER SUSPECTED INCIDENTS
Calgary police say they are not saying the suspect’s name because of the circumstances that may have led to the crimes.
“Mental health, addiction and homelessness are thought to be factors in the defendant’s ongoing, recurring violent behavior against innocent bystanders.”
While he was arrested for stabbing, police said the suspect “expressed pain” for the injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.
During the visit, authorities said 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 / Breedwood LRT station.
Following an assessment of his physical and mental health, he was discharged to hospital on condition that he not return to that particular LRT station.
I.d. Supt. Scott Todd of the Calgary Police Department says their thoughts are with the victim and his family, and all Calgary residents have a right to feel safe while using public transportation.
“Random attacks are inherently unpredictable and difficult to prevent, but we will find those responsible and hold them accountable as much as we can,” he said in a statement.
Todd says the CPS continues to work with the city of Calgary when it comes to safety concerns on CTtrain and other forms of public transportation.
“This is not a problem that is unique to Calgary, and we are working with our police partners in other jurisdictions on solutions that balance public safety with the support of vulnerable members of our communities.
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