Winnipeg averaging around six stabbing calls a day in 2022: Police
New numbers from the Winnipeg Police Services show officers have been responding to multiple stabbing calls in 2022 and that continued over the long weekend.
Police said to date, officers have been called to 860 calls where a stabbing was suspected this year, which averages out to just under six a day.
This long weekend alone, police were called to six stabbing calls, three of which happened on the same day.
The first incident happened on May 20 at around 11:16 p.m. Officers were called to a hospital where a man in his 30s was dropped off with a "severe" stab wound.
He was considered in critical condition when he arrived, but was later upgraded to stable. Police believe he was stabbed in the 800 block of Main Street near a bar and officers continue to investigate the incident.
The following day three people were arrested after two women were stabbed outside a bar according to police. It happened in the area of Main Street and Jarvis Avenue, and the two women – one in her 30s and the other in her 40s – were taken to hospital in unstable condition and later upgraded to stable.
Police arrested a 15-year-old male, a 17-year-old female, and a 37-year-old man. All three are facing assault-related charges and they have not been tested in court.
On May 22, three incidents happened. The first was at 2:13 a.m. at a bar in the 100 block of Osborne Street. Police said a man in his 30s who was working security was stabbed. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and later upgraded to stable.
Police continue to investigate.
Then around 6:35 p.m. that same day, police were called to a home in the 600 block of Alexander Avenue after police say a man in his 30s was stabbed at a kid's birthday party.
Police said he was taken to hospital in stable condition and a short time later a second man in his 30s also went to the hospital to have a cut treated. Police said both men didn't want further assistance from officers.
Then at 11:31 p.m. officers went to a home in the 100 block of Powers Street, where police said two teenage boys were stabbed near a basketball court.
They were each transported to hospital in unstable condition and later upgraded to stable. Police continue to investigate.
Lastly, on May 23, police said officers were called to a hospital where two men in their 20s were suffering from stab wounds.
Police believe the men were stabbed near a bar in the 400 block of Main Street. They were both in hospital in stable condition and declined further help from police.
Const. Jay Murray said seeing these kinds of numbers is sobering, and shows the challenges police face on a daily basis.
"These stabbings typically result in serious injuries, and our officers are often the first to arrive. They're responsible for providing emergency medical care in potentially volatile situations," said Murray, adding they must also investigate the case afterward.
"We also expect the number of stabbings to likely grow – in the past, the warmer temperatures and summer months have translated to an increased workload for us. As a result, we tend to see more violence in general and a rise in calls for service."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.