Good Samaritan stabbed attempting to help with suspected overdose

A Good Samaritan who was trying to help a woman who appeared to be suffering from a drug overdose on Tuesday night was instead stabbed by her companion, police say.

The victim, a 51-year-old man, came across the woman near Jubilee Avenue and Osborne Street at about 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday and tried to assist her, before a suspect came up and stabbed him in the upper body. Police say the suspect knows the woman.

The 51-year-old was rushed to hospital in unstable condition, where he was given medical treatment. The woman, too, was taken to hospital for medical attention. Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service personnel alerted police to the incident.

Patrol officers, along with a police dog unit, found the suspect on the 400 block of Brandon Avenue just before 11 p.m. He tried to run, but officers made the arrest and seized two knives, police said.

Dwayne Jeffery McDonald, 31, is charged with assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon. He was held in custody.

McDonald has a lengthy criminal record in Manitoba, dating back to 2013, including several convictions for violent offences, possessing weapons and disobeying court orders, records show.