'I was lucky': Teen attacked in unprovoked daytime stabbing released from hospital

A 15-year-old boy who suffered a life-threatening injury after being stabbed in a random attack Tuesday is recovering at home, but he remains baffled as to the motive of his attacker.

Achsuthan Puveendrakumaran says he doesn't know why a man stabbed him and his friend, also 15, in a residential east Toronto neighbourhood on Tuesday afternoon.

He doesn't know why a man he had never seen before chose to follow them home from a TTC bus stop after school.

"People say don't walk around at night, but this is in my neighbourhood, a couple streets from my house, and it was after-school time," Puveendrakumaran said. "All kids were walking around. I couldn't help it. It wasn't my fault. There was nothing I could do to stop it."

Police search for 'armed, violent and dangerous' suspect

The teens were walking near the residential intersection of Jaguar Street and Meandering Trail about 4:45 p.m. ET when the man approached from behind.

He slashed Puveendrakumaran's neck, leaving a six-centimetre wound, then pushed the other teen to the ground and tried to stab him in the chest, Puveendrakumaran said.

"I asked him 'What do you want?' He said 'I want your life,' and he ran away."

Staff Sgt. Gerry Heaney described the "very, very troubling" incident as a "totally unprovoked attempted murder assault."

Police are searching for the man, who is considered armed, violent and dangerous. He is described as white with average build, very short dark hair and a full beard.

Puveendrakumaran's wound was downgraded to serious and he is at home recovering.

He said it wasn't until after the man ran away that the teens realized the seriousness of his injury.

"My shirt was all wet," Puveendrakumaran said. "I checked my chest, there was blood everywhere. And that's when I noticed the pain."

On the way to get help, Puveendrakumaran said, he collapsed and passed out. His friend called 911.

"Doctors said if it was a centimetre closer to my throat I would have been a goner. I was lucky."

Puveendrakumaran's friend escaped with minor injuries.

Toronto Mayor John Tory tweeted out words of support for the victims on Wednesday morning. 

Local city Coun. Neethan Shan told CBC Toronto that neighbours are now "on edge." 

"This neighbourhood has been peaceful. It was built in 2003," he said. "Lots of young children."

Shan is imploring area residents to assist police if they can. 

"If you have cameras in your home, if you have any kind of information, just call the police and find out how you can help," he said. 

A grainy surveillance image of the suspect has been released by police in hopes someone will recognize him. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and black pants, and does not speak with an accent, Heaney said. 

The public is warned not to approach the man if they see him, and to immediately call 911.