Two charged in random attack in Osborne Village

An assault in Osborne Village that sent two men to hospital Sunday night, including one in critical condition, was random, police said Tuesday.

Two suspects — a man and a woman — have been charged.

Police said the first victim, a man in his 40s, was confronted by a man and woman while waiting at a bus stop on Osborne Street near River Avenue at about 11:40 p.m.

He was punched, knocked to the ground, and kicked, rendering him unconscious.

“Our understanding is the first victim was at a bus stop minding his own business when he was confronted by the unknown male and female,” police spokeswoman Const. Dani McKinnon said.

“(It was) quite a violent attack. He was punched, knocked to the ground, kicked and he was left unconscious, and the two (suspects) walked away and then they just stayed at another bus stop that was right by the initial site.”

The second victim, a man in his 20s, was walking past the suspects, who were sitting on a bench, when they demanded to use his phone. When he refused, he was assaulted with a broken bottle, police said.

The male suspect fled, while the female suspect returned to the bus shelter where the original assault occurred and lay down on the sidewalk, falling asleep, while the first victim remained there unconscious.

The victims were rushed to hospital, the first in critical condition and the second in stable condition.

Police searched the area and found the two suspects, who were arrested.

A 32-year-old woman and 26-year-old man, both from Little Grand Rapids, have been charged with assault with a weapon and aggravated assault. They remain in custody. It appears the suspects are related, McKinnon said.

Police tape was stretched across the area in front of the Gas Station Arts Centre through much of the morning rush hour Monday as investigators processed the scene.

A pane of glass from the bus stop in front of the centre was missing and shattered glass remained scattered on the ground.

The Winnipeg Police Service’s major crimes division has taken over the investigation.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca