On November 16, 2023, at approximately 9:50 a.m., the Winnipeg Police Service responded to a business in the 900 block of Main Street for the report of a male armed with a knife.
North District General Patrol officers quickly made their way to the location with information that a distressed adult male suspect had attempted to stab an employee and was still present in the building. Officers also learned that four female victims had safely locked themselves in separate rooms within the business.
Upon arrival, officers observed the uncooperative and non-compliant suspect in the lobby of the business, still armed with a knife. The male had locked the front doors and refused to comply with officers’ directions to drop the knife. While officers were outside the business trying to gain entry, the suspect began to harm himself. Once inside, the suspect discharged a fire extinguisher toward officers. Officers deployed both capsaicin (OC) spray and a Conducted Energy Weapon to arrest the suspect safely. The suspect was transported to hospital to receive treatment for his self-inflicted injuries.
As a result of the discharged extinguisher and the OC spray, animals in the building were evacuated once the officers made the situation safe.
The suspect and the victims were not previously known to one another.
William MINI, 27, of Brandon, MB, is charged with the following offences:
- Assault with a Weapon x 3
- Assault Peace Officer
- Resist Peace Officer
- Mischief Under $5,000/Obstruct in Enjoyment
MINI will be detained in custody.