Edmonton Police investigating random stabbings on New Year’s Eve

Edmonton Police Service are seeking the public’s assistance to identify a male suspect wanted in connection to a pair of random stabbing assaults that occurred on New Year’s Eve.

At approximately 9:15 p.m.,  a 63-year-old man was walking near 111 Avenue and 96 Street, when he was approached by an unknown male and stabbed. Upon arrival on scene, EPS members located a male complainant with significant injuries. Paramedics treated and transported the male to hospital in critical condition.

Approximately 20 minutes later, at 9:35 p.m. a 45-year-old man was standing at the Kingsway Transit Centre with his adult son, when he was approached by a male and stabbed. The male fled the transit center on foot, southbound toward the downtown core. The male complainant was treated and transported to hospital by EMS in critical condition.

Investigators are releasing surveillance images of the male suspect taken at the Kingsway Transit Centre following the assault. The suspect male is believed to be between 20 and 30 years of age, and was wearing a black hoodie, black jacket, blue jeans and carrying a black and green backpack at the time of the Kingsway Transit Centre assault.

EPS Staff Sgt. Andrew Larson said the incidents are disturbing.

Investigators believe the same male suspect seen in the surveillance images is responsible for both random, violent attacks.

EPS said the victims are in critical condition, and the suspect was still at large.