Hamilton man arrested after 4 stabbing incidents over 2 days: police

Hamilton police say a 39-year-old man has been arrested after he was involved in four stabbings this week — three of which took place Wednesday.

Const. Krista-Lee Ernst told CBC Hamilton all of the victims were strangers.

Police say officers responded to a call about a person wielding a machete near Robert Street and Catharine Street North, in the Beasley neighbourhood, around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Officers say the accused struck a 43-year-old man with the machete, leaving the man with "life-altering injuries."

Police say the man is still in the hospital.

At 5:15 p.m. the next day, police say officers showed up near York Boulevard and Main Street West after another stabbing.

Police say a man, 67, got a puncture wound while trying to break up a fight between two men he didn't know.

"The victim was transported to hospital where he underwent several medical procedures. He remains in hospital in non-life threatening condition," according to a media release from the service.

The accused left the scene by the time officers arrived, but police say they found him shortly after the stabbing at 5:32 p.m.

Almost 15 minutes later, police say they learned of a third stabbing, this time near the First Ontario Centre on York Boulevard.

There, officers say they found a 33-year-old man with a stab wound in his abdomen and an injured lip. He was taken to hospital for his injuries.

"Despite the victim being uncooperative, police have determined that the victim was stabbed approximately 45 minutes prior in a nearby parking lot by the same suspect," says the media release.

Ernst said the accused, a 39-year-old man from Hamilton, was known to local police. He faces numerous charges including:

• Two counts of aggravated assault.
• Assault causing bodily harm
• Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
• Ten counts of breaching probation.

Police say they are currently investigating a fourth stabbing. This one also reportedly happened Wednesday afternoon, near the Jackson Square rooftop between 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m..

"In this case, a 31-year-old Hamilton man was stabbed in the leg," police said.

"This investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be laid as a result."

Anyone with information about these incidents or any other incidents is asked to call police at 905-546-3833 or Crime Stoppers.