WATCH: Calgary Police are investigating a stabbing at the Calgary Stampede grounds, and while violence like that is rare at the park it is raising concerns about security. Global’s Gary Bobrovitz reports.
CALGARY- Three men were taken to hospital after a stabbing at the Calgary Stampede in the early hours of Thursday morning, and police were still searching for suspects at around 4 p.m.
Police say they were called to a disturbance on the midway at about 12:30 a.m. A spokesperson for EMS says one man suffered critical injuries after being stabbed in the torso and was taken to Foothills Medical Centre.
Police said a second victim was taken to Rockyview Hospital in stable, non-life threatening condition, and a third victim was located off Stampede Grounds and taken to Foothills Medical Centre in stable condition.
Police say the suspect fled the scene. Several witnesses have been questioned and police say they are investigating whether the incidents are connected.
“This is a rare isolated incident for Stampede Park,” said Calgary Stampede communications director Kurt Kadatz.
“We cannot remember an incident of this severity in our collective memory.”
Police said security measures, including bag checks, have been ramped up in the past day. Staff Sgt. Robin Van Gastel said the bag search program started at the Stampede in 2012. Security measures include searches at the gates along with Stampede security, contracted security providers, and both uniform and undercover police officers throughout the grounds. There are also video surveillance systems from the city and Stampede organizers.
WATCH: Staff Sergeant Robin Van Gastel of the Calgary Police Service and Kurt Kadatz, Director, Corporate Communications for the Calgary Stampede, update the investigation into last nights stabbing at the Stampede.
Police didn’t have anyone in custody and had no leads on a possible motive for the incident as of Thursday afternoon.
“We know that there was video taken just after the incident occurred and we’re looking for individuals to come forward and speak to our investigators,” said Van Gastel.
Calgary Stampede officials say the west side of the midway, including eight rides, was closed Thursday morning as police investigated. It was reopened at around 12 p.m.
Stampede officials say despite the violent incident, the grounds are still a safe place for families to be.
“We already work very closely with the Calgary Police Service,” said Calgary Stampede publicity manager Jennifer Booth. “During Stampede time, Stampede Park essentially becomes a police district. Stampede Park is a safe place to come.”
Anyone with information, photos or video related to this incident is asked to call the police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.calgarycrimestoppers.org.
With files from Jenna Freeman, Erika Tucker and Carlos Prieto
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