A Winnipeg Police Service shoulder badge is seen at the Public Information Office in Winnipeg, on September 2, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski)
Winnipeg police have charged a 27-year-old man following a stabbing outside the Walmart in the Polo Park area on Wednesday night.
Police were called to the 1000 block of Empress Street at around 6:10 p.m. when the suspect entered the store, selected several clothing items and concealed them under his jacket. As he exited, he encountered two men, ages 34 and 41, who were known to him. A verbal dispute broke out that was not related to the alleged theft.
The situation escalated when the suspect grabbed a fire extinguisher, sprayed the two men and discharged the extinguisher inside the store. The altercation continued into the parking lot, where the suspect allegedly took out a knife and injured both men.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle before police arrived. Both men were taken to hospital and later listed in stable condition.
At about 11:13 p.m., police located the suspect vehicle near Alfred Avenue and Salter Street. The man was arrested without incident and a knife was seized.
The suspect, who hasn’t been named, is charged with aggravated assault, two counts of assault with a weapon, mischief over $5,000, and theft under $5,000. He remains in custody.
Police are asking anyone with information or video footage to contact investigators at (204) 986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at (204) 786-TIPS.
