The New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) are on the hunt for a suspect connected to an apparent stranger attack that left a man injured in downtown New West.
Officers with the NWPD were called to the scene of the crime at around 1 a.m. on Sept. 30. The call was about a stabbing near the 400 block of Columbia St.
After officers rushed to the scene, they discovered a man with several stab wounds.
Officers then provided the man with medical aid, after which BC Emergency Health Services paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
A search was conducted in the area, but officers were unable to locate the suspect.
We asked NWPD if there was any indication that the suspect and victim knew each other but were informed that, at this point in the investigation, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Since the attack, police have been actively interviewing witnesses in the area and canvassing the neighbourhood for CCTV footage. NWPD has also released a brief description of the suspect.
According to NWPD, the suspect is described as having shoulder-length black hair. At the time of the attack, they were wearing a black jacket, over-the-ear headphones, black pants, black shoes and a black shoulder bag.
“We take this kind of incident extremely seriously, and we are conducting a very thorough investigation to ensure this suspect is identified and held accountable,” said NWPD Sergeant Andrew Leaver in a statement.
“I would urge members of the public who witnessed the incident, or know anything about the events, to come forward and report information to us immediately.”
If you have any information about the assault or the people involved, NWPD is asking you to contact them at 604-525-5411.
This incident is the second violent attack that took place in New West in September. Earlier in the month, a 35-year-old man was arrested in connection with a different stabbing.