A 43-year-old man is in custody after an unprovoked knife attack sent two construction workers fleeing for their lives in downtown Winnipeg on Oct. 7.
The incident occurred at approximately 3 p.m. in the 200 block of Portage Avenue. According to police, two construction workers, aged 23 and 48, were performing their duties when a suspect approached them.
Without warning, the man pulled out a knife and began chasing the workers. The two victims managed to escape serious harm by running into a nearby building for safety. During the attack, the suspect slashed the jacket of one of the workers with the knife. Neither victim sustained any physical injuries.
Central District General Patrol and Foot Patrol officers responded to the scene. At 3:21 p.m., just over 20 minutes after the attack, they located the suspect in the 400 block of Balmoral Street. He was taken into custody without incident, and a knife was seized as evidence.
John Howard Bird, 43, has been charged with several offences, including possession of a weapon, two counts of assault with a weapon, and breach of recognizance.
