Man seriously hurt after stabbing in Brantford’s downtown core: police

A man was seriously hurt after Brantford Police said he was stabbed multiple times Saturday night. CTV’s Hannah Schmidt has the story.

A man was sent to hospital with serious injuries Saturday night after Brantford Police said he was stabbed multiple times.

In a Sunday media release, police said they were called to the area of Dalhousie Street and Market Street for a reported stabbing at 10:42 p.m.

They said when officers arrived on scene, they found a man on the ground suffering from multiple stab wounds. Paramedics transported the victim to hospital. As of Sunday afternoon, police confirmed he was in stable condition.

The area was closed off for an investigation. According to police, a woman, who was unrelated to the incident, came up to an officer and assaulted them unprovoked.

“She was promptly taken into custody, and charged accordingly,” Const. Adil Khalqi told CTV News.

After further investigation into the stabbing, police said there was a fight between the victim and a group of people experiencing homelessness.

“It appears to be that there was some sort of altercation between the victim and a group of other individuals with a group of homeless individuals,” Khalqi said. “That altercation turned physical and became more specific between the victim and the accused. That resulted in the victim being stabbed several times.”

Police believed the suspect and the victim were not known to one another.

“It doesn’t appear as such that there seems to be some sort of connection between the two. However, the gravity of the situation is very serious, so the response was accordingly,” Khalqi said.

A 33-year-old man, who was described as having no fixed home address, was charged with assault with a weapon, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Police said the suspect remains in custody as he awaits a bail hearing.

Dalhousie Street near Market Street has since reopened.

Safety concerns in the downtown core

Residents said downtown Brantford isn’t what it used to be. Once the heart of the city, it’s now marked by uncertainty and growing concern.

One resident, who did not want to provide their name, said they’ve been living in the area for years and had noticed a shift in the downtown core.

“I’ve lived here for quite a lot of time, actually, in Brantford. [Downtown used to be] a nice place to live but it has changed the last few years for sure. Not in a good way. A lot of businesses have left,” they said.

Brantford resident, Nathan Bacon, echoed that message.

“I feel safer when I’m walking with my girlfriend and my dog so I know that they’re safe,” he said.

In an effort to ensure the safety of residents and visitors in the downtown core, the Brantford Police Service recently rolled out two redesigned police vehicles featuring a Battenburg design. The Battenburg pattern was created in the United Kingdom to help make police vehicles more visible.

“We recently also converted some of our special constable vehicles to more high visibility type of cruisers. So that way, members of the public know that there is a police presence that’s taking place there that helps the businesses, residents and anybody else that’s in the downtown core understand that we’re there to keep everybody safe,” Khalqi said.

Bacon said he’s noticed officers patrol the area frequently.

“They have enough foot patrol downtown which I’m impressed with,” Bacon said. “They’re always making sure people are safe, if they’re okay, because [that way] they get to know the people too.”

For some, this latest act of violence is a tipping point, sparking urgent appeals for safety, homelessness and support in the core.

“The [constable’s] presence is here but, you know, I don’t want to say they’re not doing anything. They’re bound. Their hands are bound to do anything as far as I can see,” one resident said.

“It makes me feel sad that knowing that the city I was born and raised in has gotten this bad,” Bacon said.