Police charge male with aggravated assault

Lethbridge Police have charged a 34-year-old male in connection with an incident where a 51-year-old male was stabbed in a southside alley.

On June 9, just before noon, police responded to a report of an injured male in front of a business along the 1100 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South. Upon arrival, officers located a male with life-threatening injuries. He was transported by EMS to Chinook Regional Hospital and later transferred by STARS to Calgary in critical, but stable condition. He remains in hospital.

Further investigation determined the victim was involved in an altercation with another male in the alley behind the business and was stabbed multiple times. The subject left the area on foot.  Witnesses provided a description and he was located within minutes of the incident along the 2800 block of Parkside Drive South. The male refused to comply with police direction and resisted arrest. Police discharged two, less-lethal sock rounds and the male was subsequently taken into custody without further incident. A knife was seized from the male following a search incidental to arrest.

The victim and subject were known to each other in passing and had seen one another earlier in the day. The assault was not a random incident. 

Christopher David Smith, 34, is charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon. Following a Judicial Interim Release hearing, Smith was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court June 12.