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
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
'$6.66 per day': Advocacy groups disheartened by funding in budget for disability benefit
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
MPs summon ArriveCan contractor to the House to be admonished in rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.