Suspect identified after slashing in Burger King

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This article was published 03/04/2024 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Police have identified the suspect who slashed a man with a knife in the Burger King restaurant on Osborne Street Tuesday morning.

“Unfortunately, the suspect did flee, but we’re pretty optimistic we’ll move this investigation forward, hopefully in the next couple of days,” Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen said Wednesday, adding police don’t think the public is at danger.

Officers raced to the fast-food outlet at Confusion Corner at about 10 a.m., where they found the 45-year-old victim bleeding from a serious upper-body injury.

He was given first-aid before paramedics took him to hospital in critical condition. He was later upgraded to stable condition.

“Obviously, a very traumatic incident for the victim — our biggest concern — and thankfully, he’s in stable condition. Anyone who would have witnessed this incident, we definitely want to hear from them, if we haven’t spoken to them already,” Michalyshen said.

The suspect will be charged with aggravated assault once he is in custody.

Michalyshen said the men were acquaintances.

“There was a dispute or a conflict of some sort between them, for things to escalate to the degree that they did.”

He called the broad daylight assault “incredibly” concerning.

“The next worse-case scenario would be that we’re acknowledging a homicide today, and thankfully we’re not,” Michalyshen said. “As to why this individual acted out to the extreme that they did, those are some of the million-dollar questions.”

Police have not released the suspect’s name or description.

Winnipeg Police Board chair Coun. Markus Chambers said he was told the suspect was “under the influence of a narcotic” at the time.

A sign taped to the entrance of the restaurant at 244 Osborne St. Tuesday evening said the dining room was closed but the drive-thru remained open. Earlier, the restaurant was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape as police and first responders worked at the scene.

A cleaner mopped up blood on the floor of the eating area at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Blood-soaked napkins were visible near the counter as patches of blood dried outside the south entrance of the restaurant.

The burger place did brisk business over the noon hour Wednesday, though many customers took their meals to go.

An employee said everyone who was working Tuesday took Wednesday off because of the incident.

A corporate spokesperson, who did not provide their name, said in an email the outlet’s owner offered workers access to Burger King’s employee assistance program and will work to implement safety measures in the restaurant.

“We were horrified to hear of the incident that took place at this Burger King location, and it is not reflective of the safe environment our franchisees strive to create,” said the spokesperson.

A sign inside the dining room notes loitering is not allowed.

Police ask anyone with information to call 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477.

The crime is the most recent violent incident connected to a Winnipeg restaurant.

The owner of Cork & Flame, 51-year-old Kyriakos Vogiatzakis, was fatally assaulted outside the Portage Avenue restaurant on Jan. 24.

Curtis Ross Dalebozik, 38, who is charged with manslaughter, had a history of loitering at the restaurant, police have said.

The Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservices Association has highlighted its concern about increasing violence against staff and restaurant owners.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca