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The Winnipeg Police Service’s Major Crimes Unit has continued investigating several incidents involving multiple youths in the Project Surge initiative between August 4 and August 15, 2024.
C24-180831
On August 4, 2024, at approximately 9:45 p.m., North District General Patrol officers, with the assistance of the Tactical Support Team, responded to the report of an 80-year-old male who had been assaulted with a machete in the 400 block of Pritchard Avenue.
The victim sustained serious upper-body injuries and was transported to hospital and upgraded to stable condition.
The Major Crimes Unit took over the investigation and established that three youth suspects, including a 12-year-old female and two males aged 14 and 15, were intoxicated and armed with machetes and an axe. The group initially confronted some individuals outside their residence, and they retreated inside while the suspects remained outside. The 80-year-old victim, who was unrelated to this confrontation was outside smoking when he was randomly assaulted by the three youths, who then ran off.
A 12-year-old female was subsequently arrested and faces the following charges:
- Assault with a Weapon
- Possession of a Weapon
She was released on an Undertaking per the Criminal Code.
On August 7, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the same 14-year-old suspect attended to a back lane in Tyndall Park, where he spray painted graffiti on a garage door, causing damage. Police were notified.
C24-185689
On August 7, at approximately 10:50 p.m., the 14-year-old and 15-year-old male suspects attended the 300 block of Selkirk Avenue. They assaulted a 15-year-old male with machetes, causing life-altering injuries. The victim was unknown to the suspects.
As previously released:
On August 10, the 15-year-old male was arrested and detained in custody, but the 14-year-old remained outstanding.
Update:
On August 15, the 14-year-old male sent threatening messages to a Social Services office, resulting in a lockdown and the police being summoned.
The 14-year-old male was located in the first one-hundred block of Kairstaine Lane and taken into custody.
He was charged with offences related to the assaults on Pritchard and Selkirk, as well as the graffiti and uttering threats offences:
- Aggravated Assault x 2
- Possession of a Weapon x 2
- Robbery
- Fail to Comply with Sentence x 5
- Uttering Threats – Damage Property
- Mischief Under $5,000/Obstruct in Enjoyment
He was detained in custody.
On August 21, the previously charged 15-year-old, who was still in custody, was arrested on the strength of a warrant for the Pritchard Avenue assault. He was charged with the following offences and remains in custody:
- Aggravated Assault
- Possession of a Weapon
- Fail to Comply with Sentence x 4