An argument over a seat aboard a SkyTrain in Metro Vancouver led to an alleged stabbing incident, and now authorities are hoping the public can help identify the suspect.
Authorities said the level of violence in an otherwise "mundane" incident is "shocking" and "deeply concerning."
The confrontation took place early in the afternoon of Dec. 4, when a man boarded an eastbound SkyTrain at Scott Road Station in Surrey.
"As he attempted to sit down, he accidentally bumped into another man who was about to sit in the same seat," described the Metro Vancouver Transit Police. "The victim ignored the accidental bump and moved to a different part of the train."
Shortly after, the suspect allegedly went back up to the victim and "got close to his face and demanded an apology," according to authorities.
The victim responded by pushing the suspect away, sending him onto a nearby seat, where he held him down until help arrived.
While holding down the suspect, the man felt a sharp pain in his side, and he reports the suspect had a knife in his hand.
When the SkyTrain pulled into Gateway Station the suspect broke free and fled. The victim stayed on board, where he was met by transit staff and authorities at Surrey Central Station.
The victim, 67, was taken to hospital with multiple stab wounds. He remains hospitalized with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police said the suspect is 5’7” tall, weighing approximately 130 pounds, with possibly a moustache or goatee. He was wearing a black jacket with a dark hoodie pulled up over his head, grey pants and carrying a leather satchel.
“The details surrounding this attack are deeply concerning. The level of violence that this man used over something as mundane as being accidentally bumped into is shocking. Transit Police is committed to identifying the suspect as soon a possible before he has the opportunity to hurt someone else," said Constable Mike Yake in a media release.
“We are asking the public to take a good look at the photographs of the suspect. We feel confident that anyone who can help us identify him will do the right thing and contact us immediately," added Yake.
Anyone with any information regarding the identity of this suspect or who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Metro Vancouver Transit Police at 604-516-7419 or text at 87-77-77.
