Help sought to identify suspect who beat man at The Forks

Winnipeg police are warning the public about a man who beat a stranger until he was unconscious at The Forks late Friday.

The attack, around 11:15 p.m., took place in the outdoor sitting area between the main market building and the Johnston Terminal.

Witnesses told police the attacker approached a 30-year-old man and hit him. He knocked him unconscious and stole an item from him.

“Everything points to it being a random assault,” said Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Stephen Spencer.

The suspect ran toward the river walk, where he threw the stolen item at a woman who was walking a dog.

“It’s certainly a unique incident,” said Spencer. He could not reveal what item was stolen.

The suspect was last seen near Bonnycastle Park, at Assiniboine Avenue and Garry Street.

The victim was taken to hospital in stable condition and was later released.

“This is a shocking attack no one wants to see,” said Adam Dooley, spokesman for The Forks. “We’re very happy to hear his condition has stabilized and he’s been released from hospital.”

Dooley said Forks security guards had quickly arrived to give the victim first aid and call police.

“Our security are always doing patrols, so we found the victim of the attack immediately and were able to provide some first aid and comfort,” said Dooley.

The site has security guards on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, along with a network of surveillance cameras, said Dooley. He said officials at The Forks are confident in the security team and systems they have in place.

“We work very hard to make The Forks a safe and welcoming place and thankfully, incidences like this are very rare,” said Dooley.

“We’re constantly upgrading and adapting to make sure we’re doing the very best we possibly can to genuinely keep the site safe (and) make sure everyone feels safe as well.”

He said he hopes members of the public can help police apprehend the suspect.

“The more we as a community can pull together to stand against this kind of violence, the better it will be for everyone,” said Dooley.

The attacker is described as Indigenous, 25 to 35 years old, with a medium to heavy build and tattoos on both arms. Police released an image of the man, who was wearing a black T-shirt, black pants, a black New York Yankees baseball cap and black shoes.

Major crimes investigators want to speak with the woman who was walking the dog.

They can be reached at 204-986-6219, or witnesses can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or online.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca