Three arrested in live-stream assault

WINNIPEG — Winnipeg police say a man who met a woman online and went to meet her in person was violently beaten, stabbed and robbed by three people in an attack that was broadcast live on social media.

The unidentified man was lucky that someone watching the livestream called police, who got to the scene while the suspects were still there, police said Tuesday.

“We had somebody on social media who saw the video, who actually recognized where the video was being recorded … and phoned the police,” Const. Tammy Skrabek said.

“When [officers] arrived, the suspects were still there. They were able to find the victim and get him the medical attention he required.”

Skrabek said investigators were still working out the details of the crime that occurred Saturday inside a home, including a possible motive and any connections between the people involved.

An 18-year-old male teen, a 17-year-old girl and a 44-year-old woman face a variety of charges, including aggravated assault, forcible confinement and extortion.

The victim was taken to hospital in unstable condition but was later upgraded to stable.

“The victim in this case is very fortunate,” Skrabek said. “His injuries were rather severe. … We don’t know whether he would have been able to get to a hospital, whether he would have gotten treatment.”

She wouldn’t say where exactly the alleged assault was broadcast.

The victim had first connected with a woman through a dating website, Skrabek said. He then made arrangements to meet her on Saturday.