(Submitted photo/ Crystal Murray)

By Nigel Maxwell

Clothing Crime

Special needs man attacked over red bandana, says family

Nov 6, 2019 | 5:00 PM

**Warning: this story contains a graphic photo.

A 20-year-old man is back home recovering after a harrowing ordeal Tuesday night, which led to him being stabbed in the back by a group of strangers.

The man currently resides at a special home in the city’s Crescent Heights neighbourhood, with other people who have intellectual disabilities. Crystal Murray, the man’s sister, said he was walking home from a friend’s house when he was approached by a group of males, who took issue with a red bandana he happened to be wearing.

“He was just trying to go around the guys and they wouldn’t let him go around and they started pushing him,” Murray claimed.

The bandana had been part of a Halloween farmer’s costume worn by one of the man’s co-workers last week, and he had decided to wear it home on Tuesday.

Final numbers

Local RM results finalized

5h ago

Commitment

Hildebrand commits to Bemidji State in NCAA DI, first NCAA commitment in Raiders history

8h ago

Inflation

Rent inflation to slow in the next few years, Desjardins predicts

9h ago

“They said take that [expletive] collar off,” she said.

Murray claimed her 20-year-old brother, who she said has the mental capacity of an eight-year-old, obliged and told them he was not part of any gang, but that’s when the attack started. The man dropped to the ground after being punched in the head, and the group continued to kick him.

“He said he covered his head and then he felt something hit him in the back,” Murray explained.

(Submitted photo/ Crystal Murray)

Murray said the attack lasted several minutes and her brother then continued on home, where his caregiver soon after discovered a small stab wound in his back. Police were called and the man was transported by ambulance to hospital. He was discharged Wednesday morning.

“He’s really sore and he’s having a hard time moving around and he said he’s never gonna wear a bandana again,” Murray said.

Police have confirmed they are investigating an assault that happened Tuesday around 7:30 p.m. near the 2000 block of 15th Ave. E. When asked to comment on the woman’s allegations, a spokesperson for the police service said they had no further comment at this time.

–

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell