A Calgary man is facing an attempted murder charge in connection with a domestic-related stabbing at an apartment building in the city’s southeast.
Geoffrey Stoochnoff, 30, has been charged with attempted murder and seven counts of failing to comply with conditions of a release order.
City police were called around 6:50 p.m. Friday to an apartment building in the 300 block of Quarry Way SE.
Neighbours told 911 dispatch that they were helping a woman who had fled her unit and that she had been stabbed multiple times, Calgary police said.
“The suspect left the area in his vehicle and EMS transported the victim to hospital in serious condition,” the Calgary Police Service said in a news release Sunday.
Police previously told Global News her condition was stable.
On Sunday, officers said they found Stoochnoff around 8:50 p.m. Friday in a room at the Traveller’s Inn on 4611 16 Avenue NW.
Attempts to negotiate with him were unsuccessful, investigators said.
Police eventually entered the room and arrested Stoochnoff at 1:35 a.m., on Saturday. He was taken to hospital for precautionary measures and subsequently charged.
Police said Stoochnoff was being held in custody and was scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
Meanwhile, those who live in the apartment building are still dealing with the trauma of seeing what happened to one of their neighbours.
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“It’s honestly kind of shocking,” said Josh Gerard. “It’s kind of a quiet neighbourhood. You don’t really expect it to (happen) in your area and somebody you’ve talked to in the hallways, it just seems super odd.”
Resident Sylvia Crooks told Global News that the woman lived in the building with her two dogs and was often seen with a man whom neighbours came to recognize.
“He was never friendly, never spoke one word,” she said. “She walked ahead of him. He walked 10 steps behind.”
A recent report from the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy suggests more focus is needed on men’s behaviour when it comes to preventing domestic violence.
The study found many men might feel reluctant to seek help because of perceptions of stigma and constructs of masculinity.
Kim Ruse, CEO of Fear Is Not Love, which runs an emergency shelter for women in Calgary, said the organization’s men’s counselling program is in high demand.
She thinks there’s always an opportunity for people to learn how to help men get connected to supports that are meaningful to them.
“I think there’s been a hesitancy to work with men, especially men who might use violence or have a tendency towards that way,” Ruse said. “There’s fear in not knowing how to engage them well.
“I think that is changing and we are seeing more services invested into learning how to do that.”
Gerard also believes that there’s a stigma men need to overcome. He sees it firsthand in the construction industry where he works.
“I think everybody puts on that persona about (being) big tough guys, but at the end of the day, we all have feelings and emotions too and sometimes when you bottle them up, it adds up,” he said.
“I’ve talked to my friends and we’ve had some conversations about it, but it is difficult. It’s definitely important to reach out and put some feelers out there with your friends and say hey how are you doing?”
On Sunday, police said Stoochnoff was being held in custody and was scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
They are now encouraging those who experience domestic violence to come forward.
“Domestic violence is a complex problem that can only be addressed when everyone in the community works together to end it,” police said in the release.
“Abuse thrives in silence.”
In 2023, Calgary police responded to more than 4,000 domestic violence incidents.
Calgarians experiencing abuse or violence in an intimate or family relationship can reach out to 211 or the Domestic Violence and Abuse Helpline at 403-234-SAFE (7233).
They can also reach out to Calgary police.
Residents are also being told to reach out and support anyone they suspect might be in an abusive or violent relationship:
- Be an open and accepting friend if someone discloses their experience with abuse – saying “I believe you” goes a long way.
- Talk to your children about what kinds of behaviours are healthy in a relationship and which ones are not.
- Donate to organizations that work to support families affected by domestic and sexual violence.
- Volunteer with organizations that work to support families affected by domestic and sexual violence.
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