New Westminster Police are releasing new information and appealing to the public for help in solving a July 30 incident in which an unidentified suspect slashed a police officer in Queen's Park.
Acting Sgt. Bruce Carrie told reporters Thursday that police had canvassed the neighbourhood and are following up on leads but they want to speak with a couple who first flagged down the officer on night of the incident to report a man in distress.
"When (the constable) originally saw them, he spoke to them and didn't record their names. He didn't at the time know it was going to turn out as such," Carrie said. "We really would like to talk to them and see if they can provide us with any other information to assist our investigation."
The only description of the couple is that they were "dressed casually."
The couple reported a black man "crying hysterically," sitting at a covered picnic table near Centennial Lodge around 11:50 p.m. The officer made his way up the path to the picnic tables, spotted the man and identified himself as a police officer.
"His mindset was he was looking to assist someone in a time of need," Carrie said, "The male stood up and, without any warning, ran at the officer."
The officer took a hit to the gut, nearly winding him. He was able to hit the suspect back, possibly breaking his nose. When the officer realized the man was armed with a four-inch folding knife, he disengaged and put distance between himself and the suspect.
The suspect then dropped the knife and ran towards McBride Boulevard and Sixth Avenue, where the officer lost sight of him. A subsequent search by multiple officers, a police helicopter and canine unit turned up nothing.
The officer had received a large gash on his cheek in the scuffle that required 10 to 15 stitches to close and he was nearly stabbed in the abdomen.
"Our officer thought he was punched in the stomach. He later realized he was in fact attacked with a knife," Carrie said holding up the officer's ballistic vest to show a large gash mark through the Kevlar material at naval level. "Had our officer not been wearing this, this might have ended up extremely deadly for our officer - certainly a life-threatening wound."
The knife and the officer's shirt are currently in the police lab for forensic analysis.
The suspect is described as a black male, 25 to 30 years old, 6-4 and 250 lbs. Police say he has a muscular build and black hair, shaved on the sides with a "fade" and shaved spot the right side of his head. The man was shirtless at the time of the attack but was wearing green and black camouflage cargo shorts, and white Nike shoes. Police have also now released a composite sketch of the suspect.
Carrie issued a direct plea to the suspect and warned him that he could not stay anonymous forever.
"Turn yourself in. Your description is unique, and someone out there will know you. We will find you so, it is much preferred that you take responsibility for your actions and come talk to our investigators," he said.
Carrie said the suspect is considered dangerous.
"Because it was unprovoked, we are concerned that this individual may be very dangerous and may be out there and other people may yet be at risk, aside from other officers he may encounter," he said.
Carrie said it was traumatic experience for the officer, who is a 26-year-old constable with five years of service experience, but he did return to work two days later.
Anyone with information is asked to called the New Westminster police tip line at 604-529-2430.
