Barrie Police are searching for a suspect following a stabbing Wednesday night downtown.
Officers were called to the Pizza Pizza at 48 High Street around 9:30 p.m. after receiving a report of a stabbing. A 25-year-old Barrie man was found outside on the sidewalk suffering from a stab wound to the abdomen.
Police believe the stabbing took place outside the entrance of the Wellington Plaza just off Donald Street.
"We're checking for surveillance video in the area and are appealing to anyone who was in the area to come forward," said Barrie Police Const. Sarah Bamford.
The victim and his girlfriend were walking on Donald Street when he was struck from behind and knocked to the ground by an unknown assailant, according to police.
The attacker and the victim had a brief struggle which led to the victim being stabbed.
The incident may be an unprovoked attack but the investigation is continuing.
"Police believe this is an isolated incident," said Bamford. "We'd like to assure the public there is no threat to public safety."
The suspect fled the area on foot towards Value Village.
The victim's girlfriend called 9-1-1 once she and her injured boyfriend reached the Pizza Pizza.
He was taken to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre with non-life threatening injuries and later transported to a GTA hospital for further medical treatment.
Police taped off almost the entire plaza and the Canine Unit scoured the area in the pouring rain.
The suspect is described as male, white about 5'5" with blonde or brown hair.
He was wearing a black and red hoody with the letter 'C' on the chest and a black 'diamond' logo on the front of the hood and on the lower back of the hoody, black jeans and Skecher running shoes, possibly bright yellow.
The investigation is ongoing and Investigators are seeking the public’s assistance to identity and locate the suspect.
Anyone with information to contact Detective Constable Geertsema of the Barrie Police Investigative Services at (705)725-7025 ext. 2589, [email protected] or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.tipsubmit.com
