Man seriously injured in Edmonton emergency room attack: EPS

The Royal Alexandra Hospital emergency room entrance in Edmonton. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)

One man faces assault charges in connection with the attack of another man at a downtown Edmonton hospital’s emergency room on Friday.

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) says patrol officers stopped a fight between two men around 6:15 p.m. at the Royal Alexandra Hospital ER.

A 42-year-old man had serious, life-threatening injuries and was treated onsite.

Officers found three “edged weapons” in a search of the other man involved, read a statement to CTV News.

He now faces charges including assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm and two counts of failing to comply with probation.

EPS says no other hospital visitors, patients or staff were injured and the investigation is ongoing.

Two Alberta politicians took to social media Friday night in response to the attack, saying both men were initially seeking care in the ER waiting room.

Hospitals minister Matt Jones said Edmonton police and hospital workers were able to quickly de-escalate the situation.

Sarah Hoffman, the Opposition NDP health critic, said about 50 people, including doctors, nurses and other patients, saw the attack, calling it “violent and terrifying.”

In a post to X, she said a patient was stabbed in the fight and called for the government to invest in hospital security and health-care staff.

Jones recognized the attack was unsettling.

“I remain committed to ensuring a safe environment for those seeking care and for the dedicated health care workers who provide it,” his post read. “We will continue to take steps to strengthen safety at this site.”

He said the Alberta government is working to speed up the implementation of an already-approved security plan for the hospital, including increased security staff numbers.

Alberta Health Services is also advancing a weapons screening program for the site, he said.

With files from The Canadian Press