A frantic 9-1-1 call just before 5 a.m. Saturday initiated a massive police response to normally quiet Hill Street in St Boniface, where officers found a woman in serious medical distress and a suspect on the run.

"I think it's safe to say that this would be considered one of the highest priority calls we would attend to, based on the information that was provided to us," said Const. Jason Michalyshen of the Winnipeg Police Service.

Paramedics worked to save the woman’s life, but she was transported from a basement suite in critical condition with serious upper body injuries. She was later pronounced dead.

Police said one of the first responding officers encountered a suspect armed with a weapon at the end of the block and an altercation took place. Police said the suspect attacked the officer.

"I'm not going to confirm any weapons at this point,” said Michalyshen. “I will acknowledge that yes, there appears to be weapons involved, but I'm not going to get into details with respect to those weapons."

Other officers subdued and arrested the 25-year-old man.

The injured officer went to hospital for treatment and has since been released.

Neighbour Darcy Berrington lives right next door to the house where the initial crime occurred in a basement suite.

He said the man who lives there had only recently moved in.

"I didn't know them well. I thought only one person lived there and I only know very little about him. Just very brief discussions on the street,” said Berrington.

As the investigation unfolded Saturday, other neighbours expressed shock that such a violent incident happened on their normally quiet street.

"I've lived here for three years and I've never seen police before. It's a quiet street. It's very quiet,” said Amanda Vermette who lives across the street.

Police have not released the identities of the suspect or the victim pending the notification of her family.

They said they two were known to each other but would not elaborate on the nature of their relationship.

The suspect remains in custody and police said they are consulting with the Crown and charges are pending.