Man arrested following stabbing at University LRT station

Man stabbed at University LRT Station The victim of an LRT stabbing over the weekend says he will never take transit again.

EDMONTON — An international student received significant injuries to his arm after being stabbed and assaulted while taking the LRT.

Just before 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the University LRT station, the student attending the University of Alberta (U of A) was assaulted and stabbed, police said.

The international student got onto the train at the Corona LRT Station and exited at University. Police say a man followed him off the train and began verbally harassing the student as he walked. The student asked to be left alone.

The attacker pulled a knife out and stabbed the student in the arm, the Edmonton Police Service said. The attacker fled the area where the student remained on the LRT platform by an emergency phone.

David Durocher, 30, is facing charges of aggravated assault and two counts of possession of a weapon. EPS said Durocher had knives and bear spray on him at the time of the assault.

STUDENT AFFECTED SAID INCIDENT HURT HIM IN MORE WAYS THAN JUST THE STABBING

The international student, who CTV News Edmonton will not be identifying, said in an interview that as the LRT was crossing the river a man started approaching him and trying to talk to him.

“He was so mad and aggressive to me,” the student said.

The U of A student said he realized the same man was following him as he exited the train. The student told CTV News Edmonton that the man then grabbed him and punched him in the face.

“At that time I defended myself,” he said. “Then he stabbed me. He took a knife out of his gym bag.”

“I was bleeding, the door of the train still open at the University station,” he added. “A group of people were inclined to help me but they were stopped by other people, saying, ‘It’s his problem.’”

The first thing that came to the student’s mind was to use the emergency button at the help phone on the platform.

For the student, he was surprised that it was that call which initiated emergency services to respond and not anyone watching on any of the many security cameras on the platform or the train.

While receiving treatment for his injuries in hospital, the student said staff were joking that his injuries “were not that serious.”

“They compared my injuries with those people who are have more severe injuries, like suicide with gun or stabbing in the stomach,” he said.

The international student shared how the incident on Saturday night was not the first time he was verbally harassed while using transit.

“On the bus I was (verbally) assaulted many times,” he shared. “But others, including me, are used to it, so we just ignore it and bear it.”

“The police suggested not to use LRT at night,” he said. “If public transit is available, everybody should feel safe to use it. Instead of feeling it is a mistake to use it.”

The student said his arm is being watched for infection but he is gradually recovering from the incident.

The student told CTV News Edmonton that the university said the Dean of Students’ Office would reach out to him Monday. He said he is still waiting for support.

In a statement to media, the University of Alberta President Bill Flanagan said the university has reached out to the student.

“We can report that the University of Alberta student involved is recovering, and U of A student services are supporting the student,” Flanagan said.

“I’m deeply concerned by the assault of a student while using the LRT public transit system on Saturday night,” he added. “Although preliminary accounts suggest that the attack was not racially motivated, we want to reaffirm our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for our diverse university community.”

MAYOR SAYS TRANSIT IS SAFE, HIGHLIGHTS PREVIOUS SECURITY CHANGES

In a media availability Monday, Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson said the incident was “awful.”

“We take safety on the public transit system is very seriously,” he said. “Which is why I am saddened to hear about the attack.”

Iveson added that he was pleased the emergency help phones worked so that transit security could dispatch EPS within nine minutes.

He also cited resources and changes announced back in March where there would be increased security guards and combined police and transit peace officer patrols.

READ MORE: ETS adds more security, including police officer patrols, to transit stations 

“I believe the system is safe,” Iveson said. “I use the system but I recognize not everyone feels that way. I am in a position of considerable privilege in that sense, but I also know what all those accountability systems are.”

“I’ve been in the control centre and seen what the folks who look after the system can see and what our peace officers can see.

“That gives me a measure of confidence that I just want to share with the public is very robust.”

STUDENTS’ UNION WANTS BETTER TRANSIT SECURITY

In a statement, the University of Alberta Students’ Union said they are “upset” about the incident and that it sent “shockwaves” through the U of A community.

“We’re calling on ETS and EPS to refine and improve security at the University LRT Station,” the Students’ Union said. “Students need and deserve to feel safe around campus.”

“Since many students – often from marginalized groups – find the police frightening or unsettling, municipal law enforcement needs to take a careful, professional approach to improving LRT station security.”

The Students’ Union is also calling on the university to offer bystander training to students.

“When students’ lives are at risk, we should know how to react and stay safe.”