Winnipeg's latest homicide victim, a 17-year-old boy, was fatally stabbed while he was an innocent bystander to a domestic dispute, city police say.
The victim, Jessie Jules Pierre McKenzie, and a male friend didn't intervene in the "heated dispute" between the male suspect and a female but there's an indication they were contemplating it, said police spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen.
Without provocation, the male involved in the domestic matter used a knife to stab McKenzie in the upper body, police allege.
The male and female then fled. No one has been arrested.
The stabbing happened at a bus stop on the east sidewalk of Main Street just north of Euclid Avenue about 6:05 p.m. Thursday.
McKenzie's 16-year-old friend also fled, possibly because he feared for his safety, Michalyshen said.
Investigators located the friend after police issued a public plea for him to contact them.
McKenzie stumbled out of the bus shelter and was found on the sidewalk by people as they exited a northbound Winnipeg Transit bus, Michalyshen said. The bus driver and at least one other person called 911.
McKenzie, who lives in the area, was rushed to hospital where he died of his injuries, Michalyshen said.
The teen left a nearby residence about 15 to 20 minutes before he was mortally wounded, police said. Michalyshen said McKenzie and his friend may have been waiting for a bus when the incident occurred.
McKenzie is Winnipeg's 26th homicide victim of 2009.
The male suspect is described as aboriginal, in his 20s to early 30s, 5-foot-10 or 5-foot-11 with a medium build. He was wearing dark clothes.
The female is described as aboriginal, 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-8. Her long dark hair was in a ponytail and she was wearing a light-coloured jacket, police said.
Police are also trying to locate and interview a man who may have witnessed the incident.
The man left the scene before police arrived but was seen by other witnesses. He's white, 40 to 60 years old, 5-foot-5 or 5-foot-6, with a heavy build and short grey or white hair. He was wearing large glasses, an old dark blue baseball cap and a dark bomber-style jacket.
Anyone with information about the stabbing or the identities of the people police are looking for is asked to call investigators at 986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 786-TIPS (8477).
chris.kitching@sunmedia.ca
