Knife attack on Surrey transit bus leaves man with life-threatening injuries
Warning: This story contains a description of violence that some readers may find disturbing.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police are investigating a stabbing aboard a TransLink bus in Surrey that left a man with life-threatening injuries Saturday morning.
In an interview with CTV News, MVTP Const. Amanda Steed said it happened just after 9:30 a.m. while the bus was travelling westbound on Fraser Highway near 156 Street.
The driver stopped the bus several blocks later near 148 Street, which is where several RCMP and MVTP officers met it after numerous people called 911 from inside the bus.
“The victim was slashed in the throat, which is a very serious injury and very concerning. He was transported to hospital where he has gone into emergency surgery,” Steed said. “So, right now he’s still in very critical condition, but we don’t have an update yet as to where he is in that process.”
Images from the scene show a 503 bus stopped on Fraser Highway near 148 Street. Two ambulances, RCMP and transit police vehicles can also be seen parked nearby, and police tape blocks off a portion of the sidewalk.
A kitchen knife can be seen on the sidewalk, surrounded by orange traffic cones – and Steed confirms investigators believe that was the weapon used in the attack.
Transit police and Surrey RCMP quickly located the suspect, who was arrested for attempted murder, according to MVTP.
Steed said the victim's injuries are considered life-threatening, and if he doesn’t survive, charges against the suspect could be upgraded.
“Right now, the suspect is in custody. He’s been advised that he’s been arrested for attempted murder,” she said. “Should the victim somehow succumb to the injuries that occurred during that assault, the charges will be upgraded to murder.”
Police do not believe the suspect and victim knew each other and Steed said investigators had not yet established a possible motive for the case.
Officers could be seen speaking with passengers outside the bus Saturday morning and investigators are urging anyone who has not yet spoken to them to call MVTP.
According to Steed, video and audio recordings from inside the bus will also form part of the investigation.
Police have not yet publicly identified the suspect.
A kitchen knife can be seen on the sidewalk, surrounded by orange traffic cones. (CTV)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.