A 33-year-old man who was the victim of a random attack in Abbotsford on Saturday night required 33 staples to close three wounds.
Const. Ian MacDonald said the victim and police believe he was assaulted because he was wearing a vest – bearing the logo of the “Brewsers” music club to which he belongs – that resembled biker-gang attire.
“This guy is a 100 per cent upstanding citizen. He’s not involved in gangs and drugs; he’s involved in music,” MacDonald said.
The man was walking in the 31400 block of Maclure Road, en route from his home to a friend’s residence, at about 6:45 p.m., using the sidewalk on the north side of the street.
He was wearing headphones and did not hear the two assailants run up behind him. They began punching him, and when the victim started to defend himself, one of the men grabbed his arms and pinned them behind his back.
MacDonald said the other man then struck the victim and attacked him with an object that police believe was a knife.
“He doesn’t remember being sliced with a knife, but he does recall there was more of a slashing motion by the man who was attacking him while he was being held.”
MacDonald said it appears that a passing driver slowed down and honked, which caused the assailants to run away.
The victim then stumbled down the road to a convenience store and gas station at the corner of Townline and Maclure, and then onto his friend’s street, where a passerby noticed he was bleeding and called 911.
The victim was taken to hospital and treated for three wounds – one each to his chest, thigh and arm.
“He’s pretty upset. He’s most concerned that the Brewsers will be targeted because of mistaken identity,” MacDonald said.
The man is Caucasian and the two attackers were South Asian, but MacDonald said no racial comments were made nor were there any attempts to rob the victim.
The suspects are each described as being in their early 20s, about 5’ 10”, 180 pounds, and clean-shaven. One was wearing a white baseball cap.
Any witnesses to the attack or anyone with information is asked to contact the Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
