A random machete attack on two people in uptown has police reaching out to the public for help.
On Dec. 7 around 1:30 a.m., officers responded to the area of Belmont and Seventh streets where they found one victim suffering from cuts to his fingers and knee.
The two people who were attacked told police that an unknown man approached them while they were pulling out of a parking lot on Seventh Street in their car. The attacker pulled out a machete knife and started slashing at the car, according to a media release from New Westminster police.
The victims quickly drove away and pulled over down the street to inspect the damage, but when they were out checking on the car the suspect once again approached them carrying the machete, according to police.
“The male started slashing at one of the victims and tried to stab him before he was able to fend off his attacker and knock the machete loose while the two of them fell to the ground,” the release stated.
Before police arrived, the suspect was able to flee on foot. Despite an extensive search of the area, he was never located.
Investigators are now asking for the public’s help to identify the suspect. He is described as a Caucasian man between 20 and 30 years old with a slim build. Caught on a surveillance camera in the area, the suspect appears to be wearing a grey sweatshirt with a white circle and white lettering on the front. He wore running shoes with red soles and red laces, and blue jeans with large white stitching and what appears to be the letter “U” on the back pockets.
Anyone who may be able to identify the suspect or have any information on the incident is asked to contact Const. Shannon McLeod at 604-525-5411.
