Calgary man charged after random attacks

A Calgary man has been charged in connection with random attacks on five people, as well as injuring a police officer.

Police were investigating a possible hit and run near the Arts Commons building Wednesday when they found and arrested a man who allegedly randomly attacked multiple people in the area.

One officer was hurt during the arrest.

Twenty-nine-year old Dawson Bailey Richardson has been charged with three counts of assault, one count of mischief, two counts of resisting arrest, and one count of assaulting a police officer. Police say further charges are expected.

It happened on Wednesday, shortly after 7 p.m., when officers were called to the area near the intersection of Macleod Trail SE and 9 Avenue SE for reports of a hit and run.

As they were checking CCTV footage of the area, officers saw Richardson walk up to a family on Macleod Trail SE between 8 and 9 avenues.

Police say Richardson attacked another man, making him fall to the ground, and continued to attack him. Police say the man who was being attacked was able to defend himself and get away from his assailant.

A few minutes later, a man and a woman left the Arts Commons building walking towards Macleod Trail SE. Police say “the suspect approached the man and pointed a ‘finger gun’ at the man before striking him.”

Officers say shortly afterward Richardson approached another couple walking on Macleod Trail SE. There, he attacked a man, hitting him in the face.

Richardson allegedly then pushed another man from behind, knocking him to the ground. Trying to get away from Richardson, police say the man got up and ran onto Macleod Trail SE where he was almost hit by oncoming traffic.

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“At approximately 7:20 p.m., the suspect approached a family who were leaving Olympic Plaza, walking southbound on Macleod Trail SE, and struck a man in the face,” Calgary police said in a release. “The family were able to defend themselves and found a nearby peace officer to report the incident.”

Police add video footage showed Richardson go into the Arts Commons building, where they arrested him, and where he injured the officer. The officer was taken to hospital and later released.

Richardson was also taken to hospital where he was looked at and remains in police custody. He is expected to appear in court on Friday.

Officers say several people who were attacked remain unidentified, and anyone who may have witnessed the attacks or who encountered Richardson in downtown Calgary Wednesday evening, is asked to call police at 403-266-1234, or leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.