NEW Westminster Police received a call at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, January 21 from someone who had found a man with numerous stab wounds.

Officers rushed to the scene and located a man inside a bus with several stab wounds needing immediate medical aid. Officers provided aid, including the use of a tourniquet, until BC Ambulance Service arrived to transport the man to a nearby hospital.

Officers learned that the victim was stabbed and robbed near the parkade at ‘Shops at New West.’ The victim fled from the suspect to seek refuge inside a bus.

The suspect is described as a White man, approximately 20 to 39 years of age, standing no more than 5’7” in height, with short hair, a medium build, wearing a white jacket with black accents, and a black backpack. The suspect may have been in possession of a large suitcase, which is dark in colour.

Officers searched the area but were unable to locate anyone matching the suspect description. The New Westminster Police Department Forensic Identification Unit began processing the scenes for additional evidence.

“This appears to be an unprovoked attack. There are no apparent connections between the victim and the assailant,” said Sgt. Justine Thom. “Considering the time of day that this occurred, we believe there may be additional witnesses to this assault that have yet to speak to police, and we are encouraging those people to come forward.”

The suspect may have spent some time in and around the Shops at New West before the assault and robbery occurred. If anyone has information on this assault or those involved, they are asked to call the New Westminster Police Department Major Crime Unit Tip Line at 604-529-2430 or send an email to mcucrimetips@nwpolice.org.