Suspect faces charges in LRT stabbing

Attempted murder and aggravated assault charges have been laid against a man accused of stabbing a 19-year-old commuter at the South Campus LRT station Tuesday morning.

The 24-year-old suspect was captured by police in an industrial area. He had fled after the unprovoked attack but not before allegedly carjacking a woman and robbing a convenience store near 57 Avenue and 111 Street.

Police said the suspect assaulted an employee at the store and stole merchandise before heading out into the parking lot and approaching a 2017 Cadillac XTS.

Police say the man demanded the female driver take him away from the store.

“When the driver refused, the suspect allegedly jumped into her vehicle on the passenger side and grabbed her. The female was able to break free and exit the vehicle,” police said in a statement.

The man then took off in the Cadillac southbound on 111 Street. Emergency medical services responded and treated the store employee for minor injuries. The driver didn’t require medical attention.

Police used an electronic vehicle monitoring system to locate the Cadillac, later found parked behind a business at 179 Street and 106A Avenue.

When officers arrived at the Wilson Industrial area location, a man tried to flee and a “brief altercation” ensued. The man managed to break free from police and took off on foot. But at about 8:30 a.m., a city police canine team arrived and the man was located and arrested.

Mario Bigchild, 24, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of robbery, escaping lawful custody, assaulting a peace officer and disarming a peace officer.

The victim remains in hospital.