Editor’s note: This article been updated to meet editorial standards
More details are coming to light in the aftermath of a stabbing that left one teenager dead in downtown Winnipeg last week.
In a press conference on Monday, police chief Danny Smyth with the Winnipeg Police Service said officials located a 14-year-old girl suffering from stab wounds in the cargo area of a building at Graham Avenue and Fort Street on Dec. 15.
The victim was with a group of other young people, Smyth said, one of whom is said to have turned on her and stabbed her. While it is unclear who the suspects were, officers are looking for a male suspect and two other young female witnesses. He added that the motive of the incident is unknown.
“Until we find the person, we won’t know why,” Smyth said. “This wasn’t something I would consider to be random.”
The police chief also said the victim had been the subject of previous missing persons reports, where she would be reported missing and returned to her family or caregivers. She hadn’t been reported missing at the time of the stabbing.
When asked why officers were unable to prevent the incident, Smyth emphasized that officials were present to provide first aid – even if they weren’t able to prevent it from occurring. He said the safety of the downtown is important to him and the police force.
He further added that community support units will be assigned to assist patrol officers.