'Random and unprovoked' machete attack in St. James sends man to hospital

Police are looking for a suspect in what theycalla "random and unprovoked" machete attack in St. James on Thursday around1:30 p.m.

Police, including the tactical support team, went to the area near the Mount Royal Road and Ness Avenue intersection after receiving reports of an assault. They found a 50-year-old man suffering from lower-body injuries nearby.

He was taken to hospital in stable condition where he had surgery for his injury.

Investigators believe the man and his attacker were both on the same Winnipeg Transit bus and got off at the same time. One of the menfollowed the other and attacked himwith the machete.

Police said they think the assault is random. They haven't made an arrest in connection with the incident yet.

The union that represents transit workers said the attack underscores the need forsecurity on buses in Winnipeg.

Some people think they can "do whatever they want on or around transit," Chris Scott, president of ATU Local 1505, said in an interview Friday.

Although the attack didn't happen on the bus, Scott said the presence of the officers might have discouraged the suspect from boarding the bus with a machete in the first place.

"If they know there is the likelihood of being detained and charged with an offence, for a majority of the riding public, that would be enough to stop them from wanting to commit these offences."

Scott has said he wants security team members to be able to arrest and detain people. He also wants the city to arm them with weapons like pepper spray and stun guns.

The city budget announced this week includes $5 million for a security service on Winnipeg Transit buses.

Anyone with information about what happened is asked to contact investigators at204-986-6219, or call Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.

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