Winnipeg police investigating spate of unrelated stabbings

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This article was published 10/02/2024 (587 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Major crimes detectives are investigating after a spate of unrelated stabbings in Winnipeg’s downtown and inner city late Friday and early Saturday left three men hospitalized.

Winnipeg Police Service patrol and canine unit officers rushed to Portage Avenue and Donald Street at about 8:40 p.m. Friday, where they found a man in his 40s bleeding from stab wounds, police spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen said Saturday.

As police moved to block off part of the north sidewalk between Donald and Smith streets with yellow crime scene tape near where the stabbing occurred, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service fire engines blocked part of the busy downtown street, briefly snarling traffic while onlookers stood by.

Paramedics rushed the victim to hospital, where he has been upgraded to stable condition.

Later, at about 1:40 a.m., police were called to the 800 block of Main Street, where a 911 call about a stabbing at the Northern Hotel came in.

Police found a man in his 20s suffering multiple injuries and rushed to give him first aid, applying a chest seal to slow his bleeding, said Michalyshen. The man has since been upgraded to stable condition in hospital.

At about 4 a.m., patrol officers were called to Church Avenue and Main Street, where they found a man in his 30s who had been stabbed and gave him first aid, before he was taken to hospital in stable condition.

Major crimes detectives are handling all three separate investigations, said Michalyshen, but have not yet made any arrests.

The spokesman said police have spoken with witnesses and the victims in some of the cases, but he did not immediately have further information about potential suspects.

“All separate investigations — we just wanted to acknowledge them at least in a brief form,” said Michalyshen. “Obviously, a fairly steady night last night.”

He said spates of serious, violent incidents like the stabbings stretch police.

“It’s challenging… officers are not only attending and making every effort to resolve the matter and initiate an investigation, but they’re in there providing emergency medical care,” Michalyshen said. “Stressful situations.”

Michalyshen asked anyone with information on any of the stabbings to call major crimes investigators at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477.