News briefs for Saturday, November 5, 2022

The Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service are investigating a fire that caused significant damage to a duplex but left nobody injured.

At 10:37 p.m. Friday, emergency staff responded to reports of a fire in a single-storey duplex in the 3000 block of Sinclair Street, WFPS said Saturday.

Firefighters arrived to see flames and smoke billowing from the home but were able to get the fire under control in around 10 minutes. The building’s occupants escaped before first responders arrived, and firefighters evacuated two people from a neighbouring building as a precaution.

Paramedics assessed one person at the scene, ultimately finding they did not need to go to the hospital, WFPS said.

A 21-year-old man is dead after a Saturday morning shooting. The man, who police have not identified, becomes the 45th person slain since January, making 2022 the deadliest year in Winnipeg’s history.

Winnipeg police responded to reports of a shooting in the 200 block of McDermot Avenue around 2:20 a.m. Saturday morning, police said in a Saturday press release.

When officers arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound in his upper body. First responders provided medical care before transporting the victim to the hospital in critical condition. He later died of his injuries.

Police have not made any arrests and are investigating the death as a homicide, they said.

The previous record of 44 homicides was set in 2019.

Police ask anyone with information to contact investigators at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Around 9:00 a.m. Saturday, firefighters responded to reports of a fire at a vacant home in the 100 block of Matheson Avenue East, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said in a Saturday press release.

Firefighters attacked the blaze from within the home and searched the building to ensure there were no occupants.

The fire was under control within an hour.

The home was severely damaged and the cause of the fire is under investigation, WFPS said.

Winnipeg police are investigating an armed sexual assault that left a female transit rider with several injuries, including lacerations.

Around midnight on Nov. 5, police responded to reports of a sexual assault near the Winnipeg Southwest Rapid Transitway (Chancellor Drive/Pembina Highway), the Winnipeg Police Service said in a Saturday press release.

Police learned the victim was sitting inside a bus shelter when a man approached her with a knife. He ordered her to undress, threatening violence if she did not comply. The victim was physically and sexually assaulted, police said.

The suspect fled when a Transit bus arrived at the stop. He was last seen heading southbound with some of the victim’s property.

Police describe the suspect as Indigenous, approximately 30 years old, between 5’6″ and 5’8″, with a thin build and short black hair. The weapon used in the assault was a large kitchen knife with a grey or black handle.

Police ask anyone who may have been in the area or observed anyone matching the suspect’s description to contact officers at 204-986-6245 or Crimestoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

It’s been a sleepy Saturday start, so far, to a matinee game between the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks.

Shots are 12-11 for the visitors through 20 minutes at Canada Life Centre.

Winnipeg is looking to continue a hot stretch of play which has seen them go 4-0-1 in the last five games. This is the second of a three-game homestand, which ends Tuesday night against Dallas.

Forward Jansen Harkins and defenceman Kyle Capobianco are both making their season debuts for the Jets, taking the places of healthy scratches Dominic Toninato and Dylan Samberg. Nikolaj Ehlers, Morgan Barron and Logan Stanley remain on the injured list.

The Winnipeg Jets have used special teams to their advantage in taking a 3-0 lead over the Chicago Blackhawks through two periods.

Josh Morrissey and Pierre-Luc Dubois scored on the power play, while Adam Lowry had a shorthanded tally, to break the game open in the middle frame.

Shots are 24-21 for Winnipeg through 40 minutes at Canada Life Centre.

Morrissey and Dubois each have an assist so far, while Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Brenden Dillon and Dylan DeMelo have the other helpers.

The good times keep rolling for the Winnipeg Jets.

Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 30 shots he saved to lead his team to a 4-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday afternoon. It’s his second shutout of the season.

Josh Morrissey, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Nate Schmidt all scored on the power play, while Adam Lowry had a shorthanded tally, as special teams ruled the day.

Winnipeg improves to 7-3-1, including 5-0-1 in the last six games. Chicago falls to 5-5-2.

The Jets wrap up a three-game homestand on Tuesday against Dallas.

Backup quarterback Ethan Watson rushed eight times for 103 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the University of Saskatchewan Huskies to a 37-9 triumph over the Manitoba Bisons in Hardy Cup semifinal football action at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon Saturday afternoon.

The No. 4-ranked Huskies improved to 8-1 in 2022 while Manitoba, ranked 10th in the country entering the weekend, fell to 4-5. Saskatchewan advances to next weekend’s Canada West conference final while Manitoba has been eliminated from the post-season.