Police say random sex assault ‘concerning’

Police are calling a random attack that occurred on a pathway east of the downtown early Sunday “concerning.”

Shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, a 26-year-old woman was walking from her downtown workplace along a pathway that parallels Deerfoot Trail S.E., near Blackfoot Trail, when she was attacked and forcefully sexually assaulted by a man. The offender then fled the scene and the woman was taken to hospital.

“We believe this is a bona fide and random stranger sexual assault,” said duty in- spector Paul Malchow. “It’s a random attack and it’s concerning.”

Police have released a description of the woman’s attacker in a bid for more information from the public.

The offender is described as a slim, white male, bald, or with very short hair, wearing a grey shirt and dark pants.

It’s unclear whether the attacker approached on foot or with some kind of vehicle, Malchow said.

Police are reminding the public to take care when walking alone on pathways.

“Just be vigilant especially when you’re walking alone at night,” he added.

Walking along the same pathway near Blackfoot Trail late Sunday afternoon, Lacey Fisher said she was shocked to hear an assault had taken place there just hours earlier.

“It does scare me because I do walk down here,” said the 19-year-old, who was out walking with her dogs and a friend.

“I’d never come here by myself at night.”

At the nearby Blackfoot Truck Stop restaurant, an employee said she was shocked that an attack had occurred in the area.

“Normally, it’s pretty quiet and pretty lit up,” Tanya Brown said. “I’m not scared to walk around here. There’s usually people around here.”

Investigators are also looking into an unrelated assault that occurred Sunday morning.

Police were called to the 3300 block of Rideau Place S.W. at 6:42 a.m. after a 22-year-old woman reported that she had been sexually assaulted.

The woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Members of the sex crimes unit have located the potential scene where the assault occurred in a nearby apartment complex and continue to investigate.