Woman stabbed in 'completely random' attack at Olive Garden: Winnipeg Police
A woman is in hospital with traumatic injuries after she was repeatedly stabbed in what police describe as a completely random and unprovoked attack.
The attack happened around 8 p.m. at an Olive Garden restaurant in the first 100 block of Reenders Drive on Thursday.
Investigators say a man went into the restaurant at 7 p.m. that evening and stayed for about an hour as a customer.
"Without warning or provocation, the suspect approached the victim and repeatedly stabbed her in the upper body, causing severe injuries, before fleeing on foot," Const. Claude Chancy, a public information officer with the Winnipeg Police Service, told media.
"The suspect and the victim are not previously known to one another, and investigators believe that the attack was completely random and unprovoked."
Chancy said the attack was violent and quick.
"This is something that is random in nature, something that could not have been predicted, and something you could not have been ready for," he said.
A spokesperson for Olive Garden confirmed to CTV News that it was an employee who was injured in the stabbing.
“We are thankful that our team member is expected to make a full recovery, and we are grateful to the first responders who responded so quickly,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
“Our focus is on supporting our injured team member and all team members in the restaurant. We will continue to assist local authorities with their investigation.”
The company said the restaurant would be open for normal business hours.
Police say the suspect was found a few blocks away in the 1500 block of Regent Avenue and arrested after a brief struggle. Police say he had a knife with him when he was arrested.
The victim in the attack, an 18-year-old woman, was taken to hospital in unstable condition, but her condition has since been upgraded. Chancy said there were Good Samaritans who witnessed the stabbing and helped the woman until emergency crews arrived.
"We certainly would like to thank those Good Samaritans that approached and selflessly helped the victim, because these injuries were quite traumatic injuries that needed immediate emergency assistance," he said.
Shawn Jeffrey, CEO of Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservices Association says violence in restaurants is rare.
"It’s about hospitality its about having fun and enjoying yourself,” Jeffery said. “To have something of this nature to happen inside of a restaurant it's pretty much unheard of."
He says concerns of violence in restaurants are rising.
“I think we are doing everything we can but I am hearing that the new trend is that our industry is having to hire security guards and additional security for this."
Ron Christensen has lived in the area for almost 50 years. He says while property crime is common - violence is not.
"It is in the area but I guess it's all over.” he said. "Just like everything else it's a concern but I'm ok here."
Christensen says he feels safe in the neighbourhood - despite the recent violence.
Police say Robert Alan Ingram, 27, is facing charges of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon, and failure to comply with a probation order. The charges against him have not been proven in court.
Ingram had been previously arrested in 2020 for 14 separate fires, including at St. Boniface Hospital. He was charged with 18 counts of arson with damage to property.
- With files from CTV's Taylor Brock
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.