Unprovoked hatchet attack: 26-year-old man struck in head by suspect, Winnipeg police say

Winnipeg police say a 26-year-old man was seriously injured when he was reportedly struck in the head with a hatchet in broad daylight on Monday afternoon.

The Winnipeg Police Service says a 20-year-old suspect was arrested and charged in what authorities are describing as an unprovoked attack.

Police say the victim was walking east on Ellice Avenue just before 12:30 p.m. when he passed the suspect walking the opposite direction.

“Shortly after, the victim heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and observed the suspect that he had previously passed standing behind him, holding a hatchet. Without provocation, the victim was struck in the head with the hatchet,” the WPS said in a news release.

The victim fled to a nearby business for safety, police add. He was later taken to the Health Sciences Centre with serious upper-body injuries.

Winnipeg police say they were notified several hours later, just after 5:30 p.m.

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Investigators with the major crimes unit identified a suspect and took him into custody the following afternoon outside an apartment complex on Beverley Street near Ellice.

Joshua Bear has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon. He was detained in custody. The charges have not been tested in court.