Server sent to hospital in random attack at Winnipeg Olive Garden

An 18-year-old Olive Garden server was sent to hospital in unstable condition after being stabbed multiple times by a patron. Restaurant staff and the community are now processing what police call a random and unprovoked attack.

Police were called to the restaurant on Reenders Drive for a report that a woman had been stabbed. When they arrived, bystanders were trying to help the 18-year-old who suffered “serious” injuries.

The suspect fled on foot but was quickly apprehended and arrested by police following a short struggle in the 1500 block of Regent Avenue.

Police recovering the suspected sharp-edged weapon in the process. A motive for the attack, still unclear.

“There’s nothing that indicates there was anything that pushed him to this, it is very much unprovoked and that’s what’s so alarming about it, it’s alarming that it happened so fast and so quickly,” explained Const. Claude Chancy of the Winnipeg Police Service.

“This is something that was random in nature, something that could not have been predicted and something you cannot be ready for.”

Const. Chancy told reporters that Major Crimes Investigators determined the suspect was a patron dining in the restaurant for about an hour and attacked the victim “without warning.”

Const. Claude Chancy. (Photo Credit: Morgan Modjeski, CityNews)

“The suspect and the victim are not previously known to one another and investigators believe that the attack was completely random and unprovoked.”

Robert Alan Ingram, the 27-year-old man charged in the incident with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and failing to comply with a probation order, is known to police.

Ingram has a record of arson and drug related charges in the St. Boniface area from 2020. Linked to 14 incidents, with offences ranging from arson with a disregard for human life to possession of methamphetamine.

Const. Chancy said this type of attack is rare in Winnipeg.

“This is something that’s not common. Like we mentioned before, this is an establishment that’s frequented by many patrons of all ages, at a time of day where it would have been busy, so not only is it rare, it would be traumatic. Not only for the victim, but for the first responders that would have been there and anybody who would have been in that vicinity during the incident.”

Police believe the knife used in the alleged attack was brought into the restaurant, which was operating normally on Friday. Staff on site were not able to speak on camera.

In a statement, Olive Garden says they’re thankful it’s expected the employee will make a full recovery, are offering gratitude to first responders and local law enforcement, and continue to assist in the investigation.

“Our focus is on supporting our injured team member and all team members in the restaurant. The full resources of our employee assistance program are available to all our team members, which includes 24/7 access to professional counsellors.”

WPS are asking anyone with information to come forward to Major Crimes or Crime Stoppers.