Woman dies after apparent random downtown stabbing
Posted October 23, 2012 7:31 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Police say the fatal stabbing of a woman in a Cabbagetown laneway on Tuesday morning appears to be an unprovoked, random attack.
Surveillance video released Tuesday evening (see below) shows the suspect stalking his victim, who is walking with an umbrella. The suspect follows her and before walking out of frame he appears to be reaching into his coat for a weapon.
The victim, a 55-year-old woman, was found in a laneway by 510 Ontario St., near Winchester St., just after 7 a.m. She suffered multiple stab wounds to her arms and torso and was pronounced dead in hospital.
Witness Paul Down said he watched the horrific crime unfold, and even chased the suspect, who managed to get away.
“I watched the guy follow this lady and I seen him pull something out of his jacket and it was a blade…the lady was screaming and screaming and screaming,” he chillingly recalled.
“I chased him south on Ontario on my bike and then he went west on Carlton.”
Det. Sgt. Gary Giroux said the victim may have been walking home from work at the time and it doesn’t appear that she is involved in a high-risk lifestyle.
There was no sex attack or robbery committed, police add, and the motive remains unclear.
The name of the victim has not been released because her family has not yet been notified.
Police say there were numerous witnesses who called 911 with some even trying to halt the attack. They have been interviewed.
The suspect is described as white man, about five-feet-10-inches tall, wearing dark clothes and a toque or ball cap.
There is a strong possibility the suspect may have blood on his clothes
It’s the city’s 43rd homicide of the year.
With files from Erin Criger
