News briefs for Thursday, April 23, 2026

Man arrested after Portage Avenue business robbed with gun

4:40 PM

A 27-year-old man has been charged after police say he robbed a Portage Avenue business with a gun on Wednesday afternoon.

Just before 12:30 p.m. officers arrested the man with the help of a police dog while he was walking on Portage Avenue, said a Winnipeg Police Service news release Thursday. 

Police say the man had previously entered a business in the 2500 block of Portage Avenue where he showed a gun and threatened staff while robbing cash and merchandise. He then ran away.

A pair of brass knuckles and an airsoft handgun were recovered by police. 

The 27-year-old is charged with armed robbery with a gun, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order.

Man, 74, arrested after woman, 80, slain in St. Anne’s Road apartment

4:21 PM

Police have arrested a 74-year-old man accused of killing an 80-year-old woman in her south Winnipeg apartment on Tuesday night.

Winnipeg Police Service officers were called to the woman’s apartment complex on the 1200 block of St. Anne’s Road just before 11:30 p.m., where they found the woman suffering from “fatal injuries,” police said on Thursday.

Patrol officers arrested the suspect at the scene and homicide detectives have since determined they knew each other, police said.

Jose Francisco Raulino, 74, has been charged with second-degree murder. He was held in custody and had his first court appearance on Thursday.

Raulino has no prior record of criminal convictions in Manitoba, court records show.

Police spokesman Const. Pat Saydak said the accused and the victim were not in a domestic relationship, but did not elaborate further on how they are believed to have known each other.

The victim’s name has not yet been released while detectives continue notifying her loved ones, said Saydak.

Two hospitalized after fire in Lord Roberts neighbourhood

4:11 PM

Two people were taken to hospital after a fire on Brandon Avenue Thursday afternoon. 

Crews were called to a house fire on the 400 block of Brandon Avenue shortly before 1 p.m., a Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service news release said Thursday.

Upon arrival, crews saw smoke and flames coming from the home, said the release. The fire was declared under control just after 1 p.m. 

Paramedics assessed the two people, who were taken to hospital in stable condition.

The fire is under investigation and the WFPS said no damage estimate is available.

Controlled burns start in Winnipeg

2:23 PM

The City of Winnipeg will begin controlled burns this week, weather permitting.

The burns will continue until mid-June, the city said in a news release Thursday.

“Fire plays an important role in the preservation and restoration of prairies,” the release stated. “Lack of fire allows weeds to invade these endangered plant communities.”

The city has been conducting the burns on tall grass prairies since 1986.

Teen arrested after gun taken to school

2:13 PM

A teenager is in custody facing criminal charges after allegedly taking a handgun and knives to a school in Grunthal.

Officers were told Wednesday morning that an armed student was on his way to the school in the community south of Winnipeg, an RCMP news release said Thursday.

Staff were able to get the teen to turn over the weapons, police said.

Officers seized an unloaded handgun, ammunition and knives.

The boy was charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a weapon obtained by crime.

$1.7M raised for women’s heart-health research

1:22 PM

The St. Boniface Hospital Foundation has reached a major funding milestone in efforts to close gaps in women’s heart-health research.

In partnership with the St. Boniface Hospital research centre, $1.7 million has been raised through donations for the creation of a dedicated women’s heart-health program, said a foundation release Thursday.

The money will be used to recruit two basic cardiovascular researchers working to address sex-and gender-based differences in cardiovascular disease.

Women’s heart health will also be the focus at the Rosé Soirée fundraising event, set for Sept. 3 at the St. Boniface Cathedral Ruins.