Teen charged in knife attack at U of M fitness centre, victim in hospital

A teenager has been charged after a man was stabbed at a University of Manitoba fitness centre Thursday night.

Police say that at about 7:30 p.m., a 17-year-old male suspect and the 32-year-old victim were at the university’s Active Living Centre when, without warning or provocation, the youth brandished a knife and stabbed the man before running away.

Witnesses provided first aid until Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews arrived. The victim was rushed to hospital in unstable condition but has since been upgraded to stable.

Meanwhile, police were flagged down by university security and directed to a Winnipeg Transit bus, where they were told the suspect had fled to. Officers were able to arrest the teen without incident.

An email about the attack was sent to students Friday morning.

“The two individuals were known to each other and not affiliated with the university as students, faculty, or staff,” the U of M said in a statement, with police later confirming.

The university said there is no ongoing risk to the campus community. Emergency services cleared the scene shortly after 8 p.m., and the fitness centre resumed operations.

“We understand that situations like this can be unsettling and we reminded faculty staff, and students that supports are available,” the U of M said.

The university said it has 24-hour security on campus, “which speaks to how rapidly this incident was handled,” the U of M said.

A spokesperson did not say if the university is exploring additional security measures in light of the incident.

The university’s security protocols came under fire after a woman was sexually assaulted in a dorm after a manbroke into the U of M’s Arthur V. Mauro Student Residence at 120 Dafoe Rd. in October 2024.

The intruder entered the building, broke into a secured area and then into the woman’s room as she slept, where he assaulted her. She managed to fight him off and call for help. The woman was taken to hospital and was treated for her injuries.

A suspect was arrested later that day and charged with sex assault, among other offences.

The university was accused of having inadequate security in the aftermath of the attack, but the U of M has denied responsibility for the sexual assault, arguing in court filings from last summer that the victim is partly to blame for failing to lock her door.

The following month, reports of a man wielding a knife on campus cancelled classes, exams and events, ushering in fresh criticism because of a lengthy delay before students, staff and faculty were notified, leaving some unaware until they arrived on campus.

In 2023, the U of M announced it would enhance security by training and hiring institutional safety officers. Twenty-four guards employed by the university had completed training at the time.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca