A man taken to hospital after being stabbed at a southeast Edmonton bus stop on Thursday morning had just arrived in Canada from Ukraine, Global News has learned.
There was an police presence at a bus stop in the Mill Woods area Thursday morning.
Officers responded to an assault call on 38 Avenue near Millbourne Road in the Michaels Park neighbourhood at around 6:15 a.m.
Police were told that a 48-year-old man was sitting by himself at a bus stop, drinking his coffee, when someone came up to him from behind and stabbed him in the back.
The man from Ukraine had just celebrated his birthday on Wednesday, a source told Global News. They added he’d just arrived in Canada with his wife and child 11 days ago and had started a job here recently.
According to EPS, the man was able to call 911 before collapsing. A number of other people called 911 and tried to help the man.
Paramedics arrived, treated him and took him to hospital with serious injuries.
The suspect ran away and has not been located, police said.
Investigators believe the stabbing was random.
“The fact that it was random, in a public space, and the victim sustained some pretty serious injury I think is pretty unsettling and disturbing,” said Coun. Keren Tang, who represents Ward Karhiio where the stabbing happened.
Police tape was surrounding the bus stop for most of the morning. Blood and personal belongings, including a hard hat, could be seen on the ground.
For people who live nearby, the possibility of a random stabbing is disturbing.
“That’s very scary,” said Huda Alag, who’s lived in the area for two years. She said the attack — and the fact that no one has been arrested — makes her feel unsafe.
“I don’t know what I can do… It scares me because my children live here.”
Stan Springsteel said there’s been crime in the area “but nothing like this, as far as I know.”
Still, he doesn’t think the incident will change his daily routine.
“I usually drive around. I don’t take buses and stuff. It’s just bad to hear,” Springsteel said.