Jets fan wanted for ‘totally senseless’ assault shortly before first playoff game

Winnipeg police detectives are searching for a suspect who assaulted a 34-year-old man downtown, causing a serious head injury, in a senseless attack in April.

The victim was found unconscious after he hit his head on the pavement while being assaulted by a stranger on the first 100 block of Navy Way, between Smith Street and Assiniboine Avenue, at about 5 p.m. on April 19.

Major crimes unit detectives believe the suspect was loudly yelling and causing a disturbance in the street while with a group of people outside the victim’s apartment building. That sparked an argument with the victim from his window.

The victim was goaded outside, police said. The suspect grabbed the victim after he stepped out of the building. After a brief tussle, the suspect threw him to the ground, where the victim struck his head on the sidewalk.

“It’s totally senseless … he did not deserve what happened to him,” Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Claude Chancy said.

Paramedics rushed him to hospital, but Chancy said the victim’s recovery will be lengthy.

“In this case, the injuries were serious enough that this person will have to seek further medical attention as he goes on,” Chancy said. “There’s a possibility of a life-altering event.”

The suspect was wearing a Winnipeg Jets jersey. The incident happened shortly before the puck dropped for Game 1 of the Jets’ first-round playoff series with the St. Louis Blues.

About 5,000 fans attended a Jets whiteout street party outside Canada Life Centre that started before the game.

Chancy said it is likely the man was headed to or from the street party, given his attire and the location, but investigators can’t say definitively whether that was the case.

Investigators spoke to witnesses, who described the attacker as tall, white, 25 to 30 years old, with shaggy brown hair and a short brown beard.

His dark blue Jets jersey bore the current logo and retired defenceman Dustin Byfuglien’s last name and number, 33. The man was wearing light blue jeans and white Nike runners with a black Swoosh.

He was last seen running north towards Smith Street.

Investigators have been trying to identify the suspect since the assault, Chancy said, but recently decided they needed help from the public.

Police released two images of the man Friday. He is facing a potential charge of assault causing bodily harm.

Major crimes detectives have asked anyone with information about the attacker to contact them at 204-986-6219, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca