‘I saw smoke’: 2 hospitalized after altercation involving fire extinguisher at Winnipeg Walmart leads to stabbing
Posted January 22, 2026 12:51 pm.
Last Updated January 22, 2026 6:21 pm.
Winnipeg police say a suspect has been arrested in an alleged stabbing at a Walmart in Sargent Park that sent two men to the hospital Wednesday evening.
The Winnipeg Police Service says the alleged stabbing happened around 6:10 p.m. between three people who knew each other.
Authorities say the 27-year-old suspect entered the Walmart on Empress Street and Sargent Avenue, and concealed several items of clothing under his jacket.
Winnipeg police say the suspect then encountered two men, aged 34 and 41, who he knew, while leaving the store and there was a verbal dispute. Police say it was unrelated to the alleged clothing theft.
“The suspect located a nearby fire extinguisher and sprayed the two men before emptying the remainder of the extinguisher about the store,” police said in a news release. “The altercation moved into the parking lot, where it escalated to point where a knife was produced.”
Thilina Chandralal, who was at the back of the store, described a chaotic scene.
“I did hear some people fighting… and then all of a sudden, I saw smoke coming up,” Chandralal recounted. “I think one of the people who were fighting pulled a fire extinguisher and started spraying it all over the place.
“I did hear people screaming out loud. I heard people, a couple managers were paging associates to come up front to help with the situation.”
Police say the 34- and 41-year-old man sustained injuries “consistent with having been assaulted with a knife.” They were taken to hospital and later listed in stable condition.
“I hope everyone’s OK and none of the customers were injured or any of the associates,” Chandralal said, adding store employees and police were quick to respond.
The suspect fled in a vehicle prior to officers arriving on scene.
Police say they located the suspect vehicle near Alfred Avenue and Salter Street around 11:15 p.m. The suspect was taken into custody, and a knife was allegedly seized during his arrest.
He has been charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, mischief and theft, and detained in custody.
The investigation by the WPS major crimes unit is ongoing.
Following the incident, people were turned away from the Walmart, with a note on the door citing “unforeseen circumstances.”
