Winnipeg police say an incident where two people were stabbed at an apartment complex on Portage Avenue Sunday marks the first time they have investigated a crime at an Airbnb in Winnipeg.
Police said officers responded to The Avenue building at 265 Portage Avenue early Sunday morning, where two people were stabbed.
Blood splatter could be seen in a hallway and on a set of stairs inside the apartment block.
Sunday night police said the two victims were in stable condition. Police continue to investigate the incident.
No arrests have been made and police are looking for a male suspect.
Police say at least five people were at a gathering in the suite and alcohol was involved.
Sharon Michalowski is the property manager at The Avenue on Portage.
Michalowski said the building is reviewing policies around short-term rentals.
She said that means putting in required minimum-length stays and improving the vetting process.
“Our tenant security is our top priority,” she said. “We don’t want to encourage one night stays to avoid parties.”
Michalowski said after the incident a fob key entry is being installed to increase safety.
Airbnb suspends booking guest’s account
In an email statement to CTV News, Airbnb said it has suspended the account of the booking guest.
“The violence reported has no place in the Airbnb community and we take such reports incredibly seriously,” said a spokesperson.
“Our community’s safety, both online and offline, is our priority.”
“There have been more than 500 million guest arrivals in Airbnb listings to date and negative incidents are extremely rare. Even so, we’re constantly working to improve our platform, our policies, and our protections, because even one incident is one too many,” the spokesperson said.
-With files from CTV's Renee Rodgers
