Red River College beefs up security in Exchange after instructor attacked

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This article was published 16/10/2018 (2015 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Red River College is ramping up security near its Exchange District campus after an instructor was attacked and viciously beaten in a random attack Tuesday night.

The 42-year-old man was jumped from behind while walking in the area of William Avenue and King Street at about 9:30 p.m., police said Wednesday, adding investigators don’t know what motivated the attack; the assailant did not speak during the incident.

No one stopped to help the victim, who attempted to flag down passing vehicles. Eventually he was able to get the attention of a medical supervisor, who provided assistance, police said.

The badly beaten man was taken to hospital in critical condition with “serious upper body injuries,” police said, but later upgraded to stable condition.

Patrol officers, a canine unit and the Air-1 helicopter searched the area but were unable to locate a suspect.

RRC president and CEO Paul Vogt quickly announced plans for the improved security measures on Wednesday morning

“This is an extremely upsetting incident,” Vogt said in an email to all RRC staff and students Wednesday morning.

Vogt said the instructor was on his way to catch a bus after teaching his evening class.

The security improvements began Wednesday afternoon, Vogt said in the statement. A dedicated mobile street-patrol unit has been added for RRC facilities in the Exchange from 4 p.m. to midnight.

As well, security has been extended by five hours — until 11 p.m. — at ACE Project Space, an interactive work space on McDermot Avenue.

There is already 24-hour security staff on duty seven days a week at the Roblin Centre and the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute.

Additional measures could be taken after RRC security and the college’s safety and health services units complete an in-depth review of the incident and security procedures, Vogt said in the email.

“We are grateful our instructor is recovering in hospital,” he said. “We will continue to focus on his well-being and offer all the support we can to our instructor and his family. We are also working with Winnipeg Police Service, who are investigating the incident.”

An RRC spokesman said Vogt visited the injured instructor in the hospital Wednesday afternoon.

Red River College already Safe Walk services in place that provide escorts for students, staff and visitors from the downtown campus to points nearby, such as parking lots. A mobile safety app links to the Safe Walk services.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the assault, saw the suspect before or after the attack or who has any information to call police at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca