Arrest after axe assault, SIU investigating

One man is under arrest after another man was attacked with an axe during a fight in Waterloo Tuesday.

The incident began shortly after 4:30 p.m. when Waterloo Regional Police were called to an apartment building on William Street near Park Street.

The victim’s hand was hurt during the fight and the man was transported to Grand River Hospital and later released. The attacker fled the area.

Police tracked down a suspect on Mill Street, between Lansdowne Boulevard and Spadina Road East, in Kitchener. Police used a stun gun in the arrest of a 35-year-old man just after 6 p.m.

Police allege the man had an axe when he was arrested.

The man was taken to the Frederick Street police detachment where cells are located, but he then needed medical attention at hospital.

He was treated and released.

As a result of the suspect needing to be hospitalized, the province’s Special Investigations Unit is probing the matter, said police.

Four investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to investigate this incident.

The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates incidents involving police and civilians where there has been a death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.

Insp. Mike Haffner said an officer sustained a broken finger as a result of the arrest.

A small section of Mill Street was still blocked off Wednesday morning as police investigated the incident.

The victim and suspect were known to each other and police say this was not a random act.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information related to this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529, ext. 1873. The SIU also urges anyone who may have any video evidence to upload that video to the SIU website at www.siu.on.ca.