International students hurt in unprovoked downtown attack Private university beefs up security at Main Street facility after group beaten; safety a growing concern as violence spreads in area By: Chris Kitching Posted: 7:00 PM CST Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

A private university is increasing security at its downtown Winnipeg campus after a group of international students was injured earlier this month in an unprovoked daylight attack.

One of the students from Providence University College and Theological Seminary was knocked unconscious — and now requires dental work — after he was repeatedly punched by a stranger near the campus.

“It’s very disturbing,” said Kent Anderson, the Christian university’s president. “We appreciate this is a problem that extends to the whole city. When it affects our people, obviously, the problems of the city come close to home for us.”

The Providence students were attacked amid a rise in assaults in the downtown area.

Police said four men, aged 19 to 23, were randomly attacked near Fort Street and Graham Avenue, a block west of the campus, shortly before 3 p.m. on March 1.

A 20-year-old was hospitalized after he was knocked unconscious and lost a tooth.

A 22-year-old man, who was arrested nearby, is facing three counts of assault and one count of assault causing bodily harm. He was released on a promise to appear in court, which police said is mandated by the Criminal Code.

Anderson said the victims, who’ve returned to school, are feeling unsafe because of the suspect’s release. Counselling is being offered to them.

Providence’s main campus is in Otterburne, about 35 kilometres south of Winnipeg.

Since May 2022, the university has leased space within CDI College at Main Street and Graham — two blocks east of police headquarters — for its Buller School of Business.

Providence and CDI are working together on security measures in and around the building, which is attended by about 200 Providence students, said Anderson.

The site now has two security guards on duty, instead of one, from late morning to mid-evening.

“It’s some attempt to give the students a sense of confidence and security,” said Anderson.

“It’s some attempt to give the students a sense of confidence and security.”–Kent Anderson

Providence’s class times, which normally run to 9 p.m., are being rescheduled to ensure students leave earlier. The university is arranging group walks to bus stops after class.

Staff are also planning to speak with police, the city and other universities and colleges in a bid to improve safety.

“I think everybody in the area is concerned,” said Anderson, who has addressed students about the incident and security measures. “We want to be part of the solution. We want to see things improve.”

He said other students have been chased or subjected to racial comments.

“It has all come to a head with this major incident, but it’s part of a pattern we’ve been seeing in recent weeks,” he said.

Students who spoke to the Free Press welcomed the security measures.

“I don’t think (the area) is usually so safe,” said one from India, who declined to give his name.

He said the students who were attacked are also from India. He was told the suspect had brass knuckles.

“One of (the group that was assaulted) lost his memory and didn’t know he was attacked,” the student said.

Conditional release of accused in multiple assaults draws legal questions, concerns

Kagan LeBlanc, who attends classes in the building, said she was confronted by a woman armed with a box cutter in a coffee shop in the same area last week. She said she complied with a demand to buy a bagel for the woman, but didn’t report the incident to police.

LeBlanc said she worries about her safety when she’s walking to or from bus stops or restaurants.

“I feel safe in the building. But, around here, hell no,” she said.

On Thursday, police announced a 13-year-old boy has been charged in a series of bear spray attacks in the West End and downtown Feb. 19.

One of the victims was a 24-year-old woman who attends the University of Winnipeg and lives in a student residence.

“As an immediate precaution, we have increased security presence on campus,” said U of W spokesman Caleb Zimmerman.

He said the university is always looking to enhance safety and security.

“I feel safe in the building. But, around here, hell no.”–Kagan LeBlanc

RRC Polytech holds regular security assessments at its campuses, including the Exchange District site.

Spokesman Conor Lloyd said safety is top of mind for students and staff.

“This why we put a really strong emphasis on our safety programs and services,” he said.

The Winnipeg Police Service is seeing an increase in the number of assaults reported downtown, said spokesman Const. Claude Chancy, adding substance use is a common contributing factor in many incidents.

He said there has been an increase in foot traffic downtown since COVID-19 public-health orders were lifted a year ago, which may be another contributing factor.

Police officers, cadets and Downtown Community Safety Partnership members patrol the area, he said.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said incidents such as the attack against the Providence students are concerning.

“Ensuring people feel safe is key to our downtown renewal efforts,” he said in a statement.

The mayor said work will soon begin on a “comprehensive” community safety plan which includes police, fire, bylaw enforcement, other levels of government, social services agencies and businesses.

— With files from Erik Pindera

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching