Suspect sought in assault on man in his 70s: Winnipeg police

WINNIPEG -

Arthur Shorting has stitches in his head and bruises all over his body. He’s at home recovering after being brutally assaulted last week.

The 73-year-old said he was relaxing at home when he noticed a young couple trying to break into his car.

“So I came down here as fast as I could. My son and I, we confronted those people and got my stuff back,” said Shorting.

He said the couple left and his son went back inside, but the altercation wasn’t over.

The man returned, he followed Shorting into his building and attacked him with the metal base of a chair.

Shorting tried to fight him off.

“Somehow he got away and managed to hit me about half a dozen times from the top of my head all over the back of my body,” explained Shorting. “As we’re standing here now today I have bruises all over like someone took a paintbrush and made a rainbow out of my body.”

Shorting was knocked unconscious, witnesses called for help, and Shorting was rushed to Health Science Centre; he had suffered a concussion and a skull fracture.

The Winnipeg Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident.

Friday Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) released pictures of a suspect they believe to be involved with the assault. 

Supplied image from the Winnipeg Police Service.

“We’ve posted those pictures on our Facebook page and on our website, (gave) them to media as well,” said Const. Rob Carver with the WPS.

“Detectives are hoping that anybody who might recognize this individual can either contact us or have him contact us.”

Supplied image from the Winnipeg Police Service.

Another senior was also attacked in Winnipeg recently.

On July 6, WPS responded to an assault on a 72-year-old man in the 300 block of Selkirk Avenue, the victim is still in hospital.

CanAge is Canada’s national seniors advocacy group and CEO, Laura Tamblyn-Watts said they are seeing a rise in abuse and neglect towards older people, including assaults and break-ins.

“Crime specifically targeting older people, who now, because of COVID-19 are often alone in their homes, and cut off from friends, and relatives, and social services,” said Tamblyn-Watts, “In many cases older people are sitting ducks.”

Shorting is glad to be recovering at home.

“I’m very fortunate. For my age, I’m in very good shape.”

Winnipeg Police are asking anyone with information regarding the identity of the individual seen in the pictures to contact investigators at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS.