Thornhill
October 14, 2008 10:50 AM
By: Joe Fantauzzi, Staff Writer
A homeless man nearly stabbed to death in Thornhill Friday night had been accosted for change earlier that evening, York Regional Police said.
A group of youths in the Hilda Avenue and Steeles Avenue area has approached the man for bus fare, according to Det.-Sgt. John Sheldon.
After the homeless man turned over some change, the youths left and he tried to bed down near the railway bridge.
At about 11:30 p.m., the homeless man was approached by someone. The two began grappling and the homeless man suffered several stab wounds to the torso, Det.-Sgt. Sheldon said.
The homeless man was able to walk up to the roadway where he was spotted by people in the area.
His attacker fled.
“We’re quite concerned,” Det.-Sgt. Sheldon said about the attack, an incident police have characterized as vicious. “It appears to be random — unprovoked.”
Police are urging anyone with information about the violent assault or who may have seen the homeless man to call investigators at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7241, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or leave a tip at www.1800222tips.com