Investigators search for additional information in random assaults
Calgary police investigators now believe that two random assaults that occurred earlier this year are connected and are looking for additional information from the public.
On Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, between 10:15 a.m., and 10:40 a.m., a man in his 50s was walking on a path in Fish Creek Park, which was located east of MacLeod Trail S.E., and on the south bank of the creek, south of Canyon Meadows Drive S.E. As he was walking, the man was struck from behind by an unknown male. The suspect fled the scene after taking personal items belonging to the victim. The victim was taken to hospital with serious head and facial injuries.
Several hours later, at approximately 7:50 p.m., a 15-year-old male was walking his dog with his mother in the 1500 block of 110 Avenue S.W. As they were walking, the mother and son came upon an unknown man, at which point an altercation took place and the teen was stabbed. The man fled the scene on foot into the community of Southwood. The victim was transported to hospital by EMS in serious condition, where he underwent surgery.
At the time, based on initial suspect descriptions, police believed that the two assaults were unrelated, however after a thorough review of CCTV and all available evidence, detectives now believe that the same offender is responsible for both assaults. A map indicating the locations of the assaults are available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.
“It is extremely rare to have had multiple random and unprovoked assaults occur so close together in our city,” says Staff Sergeant Jeff MacQueen of the Calgary Police Service District 2 General Investigations Unit. “In both of these cases, the victims received significant injuries, and although they have recovered physically, the attacks have had lasting impacts on them. We are asking anyone with information to come forward, even if the information they have may seem insignificant,”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips
Case #20067948/4239