Stranger attack on board SkyTrain, third stabbing on public transit this week

SURREY – A man was stabbed by a stranger while riding the SkyTrain early Saturday morning, according to Metro Transit Police.

Police said it happened shortly after 1 a.m. at Surrey Central SkyTrain station.

The victim, a man in his 20s, was stabbed in the abdomen, police said. At this point in their investigation, it appears the pair did not know each other, they added.

It’s unclear what prompted the attack and the suspect remains at large.

BC Emergency Health Services said the patient was cared for by paramedics and rushed to hospital in serious condition.

Police said he has since been released from hospital.

This latest attack has prompted the union representing SkyTrain workers to speak out, saying the recent events have reached “crisis levels.”

“As transit workers, we are deeply disturbed by the horrific events that have occurred in our Lower Mainland transit system recently, and our hearts go out to all the families and victims of the violence,” wrote Tony Rebelo, president of CUPE7000, in a statement.

He said the members are not trained to deal with violent offenders and the union cannot protect their members and the public alone.

“I am imploring local and provincial governments to create a plan to deter and mitigate these senseless acts of violence and keep our members and the public safe,” he wrote.

This is the third stabbing on public transit this week.

A teenager was fatally stabbed while riding a bus in Surrey on Tuesday night.

The family of 17-year-old Ethan Besflug told CTV News he was being harassed prior to the attack. It’s believed a teenaged boy and girl are involved, although police have not identified or arrested any suspects.

A day earlier, another transit user was stabbed.

In New Westminster, a victim was found on the Columbia SkyTrain platform with an apparent stab wound and they were taken to hospital.

On April 1, a man was slashed in the throat by a stranger while riding a bus in Surrey. He is now recovering at home while the suspect is facing terrorism charges.

The majority of recent transit stabbings happened in Surrey.

“There is no place for the continuing violent acts that are taking place on our regional transit system. What makes this situation all the more alarming is that it puts so many innocent people at risk, as the attacks are often perpetrated in a confined space of a SkyTrain car or a bus,” said mayor Brenda Locke in a statement.

Locke said she has been in regular contact with Surrey RCMP and Metro Vancouver Police and officers have increased patrols on transit, adding they are also looking for long-term solutions.

She said she plans to contact her provincial counter parts – Premier David Eby, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister of Mental Health – to see if the city can have more resources to determine these crimes and identify those responsible.

“We need to look at all potential tools at our disposal, including better use of technology, safety education and outreach, all forming part of a comprehensive approach,” she wrote.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General said this kind of violence will not be tolerated.

“Our government is working on every front to make sure people feel safe everywhere in British Columbia. It’s crucial that all British Columbians – our kids, seniors, everyone – have access to safe public transit,” the ministry wrote in an email to CTV News.

Transit police said Saturday’s stabbing does not appear to be related to the previous stabbings this month.

Since the spate in violence on public transit, officers have stepped up patrols.

“There is an increased presence of Transit Police across the transit system and we are also working closely with Transit Security who patrol the bus network. Specialty teams at Transit Police have been redeployed to frontline patrols and additional resources have been called in,” wrote Stephen Crosby with Metro Transit Police in an email to CTV News.

Translink’s CEO condemned the recent attacks.

“We will not stand for these types of incidents on our system. We will not allow criminals or those that want to commit crimes to come onto our system, said Kevin Quinn Friday. “I want to be really, abundantly clear, that everyone has the right to feel safe on transit. And these incidents are absolutely unacceptable.”

Metro Transit police encourage riders to report suspicious activity by using its live texting system at 87-77-77.