One arrested, victim in hospital after ‘unprovoked’ park attack
Updated ,first published
A young man in a country town west of Brisbane was stabbed while walking in a park in what police suspect was an unprovoked attack.
Detective Inspector Andrew Trenerry said the 23-year-old man was taking an afternoon walk with a group of women, one of whom had a child in a pram, along a path in Dalby park at around 2.30pm when a man approached them.
Trenerry said the 46-year-old man became aggressive towards the group, then pulled a knife from his pocket and began attacking the young man.
The 23-year-old man was hit twice in the left arm and suffered “serious lacerations” to his upper arm, Trenerry said.
The alleged attacker then fled the scene and the 23-year-old’s family members took him to Dalby Hospital.
Police are offering resources to witnesses — including family and friends — of the “highly unusual” attack, Trenerry said.
“This is definitely a traumatic thing and they are part of the investigation,” he said.
Later on Wednesday, the 23-year-old was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a serious condition.
Police did not suspect the men had argued or fought before the attack, and while officers initially believed the two men did not know each other, Trenerry said Thursday they were investigating any potential relationship between the pair.
Hours after the alleged attack, around 4 p.m., police found the 46-year-old about three miles away on Oakwood Street North.
He was charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm and was due to appear at Dalby Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Trenerry said police have yet to find the knife used in the attack and that the investigation revealed “no known drug-related information.”
He appealed for anyone who may have seen the alleged assault or has video of the incident to get in touch. crime stoppers or directly to the police.
“We have a strong commitment to tackling knife crime and this is strengthening across the state,” Trenerry said.
“[The] “The southwest is no different in terms of the scourge of knife violence.”
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