Church stabbing motive ‘frustrating’ small-town Manitoba police

WINKLER, Man. — Police in southern Manitoba were at a loss Monday as they tried to determine why a 15-year-old girl was repeatedly stabbed inside the women’s washroom at the Pembina Valley Baptist Church shortly after the weekly service had ended.

Winkler police Chief Rick Hiebert said a 39-year-old man from the small city southwest of Winnipeg has been arrested, but is not providing much information.

“We have been unable to determine a motive for this attack and that is quite frustrating. Everybody is asking and wondering why,” Hiebert said.

“The accused was not known to the victim and the accused has not offered police any leads as to his motive for the attack.”

The girl suffered multiple stab wounds in the Sunday attack and was taken to the local hospital before she was airlifted for treatment in Winnipeg. She was listed in stable condition.

A suspect was arrested in the parking lot and charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

The public attack is an anomaly in the rural community of 12,000. Police statistics show the city often goes years between homicides and registers only a small annual number of assaults with a weapon or that cause bodily harm.

“It’s devastating to hear. You think churches would be a safe place,” said Winkler Mayor Martin Harder.

“We’re as shocked as anybody.”