Man charged for random attacks in downtown Calgary - Calgary

Calgary Police on Wednesday charged a man in connection with five random assaults in downtown Calgary.

Police said they were called to the 800 block of Macleod Trail SE just after 7 p.m. for reports of a hit-and-run accident.

Investigating the collision using CCTV footage, police saw a man approach a family walking down Macleod Trail SE between 8 Avenue and 9 Avenue SE. The suspect then struck another man multiple times, causing him to fall to the ground, where he was hit multiple times again.

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According to police, the victim was able to fight back and escape.

A further review of CCTV footage showed the man punching another man near the Arts Commons building in the city centre, police said. The victim and a woman walked towards Macleod Trail SE after exiting the Arts Commons building.

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The suspect approached another couple walking north on the Macleod Trail SE shortly after that incident, according to police. The suspect attacked a man and punched him in the face.

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The suspect then immediately pushed another man on the back. The victim got up to flee, got into traffic and was nearly hit by vehicles, CPS said.

At around 7:20 p.m., the suspect approached a family exiting Olympic Plaza and punched a man in the face. Police said family members were able to defend themselves and found a safe place nearby to report the incident to police.

Police said the man went to the Arts Commons building where he was found and arrested. One officer was injured in the arrest and taken to the hospital and later released, CPS said.

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Dawson Bailey Richardson, 29, was charged with three counts of assault, one count of mischief, two counts of resisting arrest and one count of assaulting a police officer.

He remains in custody and is due to appear in court on Friday. Police say more charges are expected.

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Police are asking all victims and anyone who witnessed the events or had interactions with the suspect downtown to contact police at 403-266-1234 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.