Niagara police have one suspect in custody following a stabbing on St. Catharines’ Merritt Trail that left a man in hospital with a serious injury Thursday afternoon.
Emergency crews responded to the trail in the area of Martindale and Erion roads where they found a 47-year-old man with a serious stab wound to his upper body.
An Ornge air ambulance requested to attend the scene was later cancelled as Niagara EMS transported the man to an out-of-region hospital.
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A 56-year-old suspect was arrested at a home in the Vansickle Road North area near Barton Street shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday.
Richard Frank Stephen is charged with assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon.
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Police say the victim was riding on an e-bike when they encountered the suspect, who assaulted them, causing them to fall off the bike.
The suspect reportredly stabbed the victim once they were on the ground. Police say the pair do not know one another.
Police closed Merritt Trail for several hours while completing their investigation.
Merritt Trail in St. Catharines located near Martindale Rd & Erion Rd is temporarily closed for a stabbing that took place on the trail. Suspect is at large & area residents can expect a large police presence.
Vehicular traffic is unaffected by the closure.Please avoid the area pic.twitter.com/QnaJ1MwuGN
— NRPS (@NiagRegPolice) May 25, 2023
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police.
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