A suspect has been arrested in connection with what police called a “violent, random assault” in southeast Edmonton that sent a 65-year-old man to hospital in life-threatening condition.
Officers were called to 48 Street and 22 Avenue in the community of Pollard Meadows at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Edmonton police said in a news release Thursday night.
When they got there, officers found the victim “on the ground in medical distress,” according to police. Police said he was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital, where he remained in critical condition Friday.
“This was a random, unprovoked, vicious assault,” Edmonton Police Service spokesperson Scott Pattison said Friday.
He said the man was out on his daily walk, minding his own business when the attack happened.
“He is a retired gentleman, a father, grandfather — he goes for a daily walk in the area down a particular footpath just southeast of 23 Avenue,” Pattison said.
“By all accounts, he was really in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
A woman who lives in the area describes the victim as a good, sweet man who would not instigate anything like this.
Pattison echoed those remarks, saying his family is traumatized by what happened.
“It’s a very traumatic situation. I can’t imagine an individual with an extended family going about their business, going for a leisurely walk and unbeknownst to him, his life is about to change — and his family’s. So hopefully the community will rally around this family.”
Police did not provide details about what led to the assault or about the suspect, other than to say he is male who is known to police. Details about charges are expected to be released next week, Pattison said.
Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed an altercation on the footpath near the southeast corner of 23 Avenue and 50 Street around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, to contact the EPS.
“We have a suspect in custody right now that we believe is responsible for the act,” Pattison said. “Now we really need people in the area to step up that may have seen something to ensure that the case is strong moving forward.”
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Anyone with information can call police at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.