LRT platform stabbing leaves 1 dead, 1 injured

Transit users are calling for increased safety measures on the Calgary LRT system after a double stabbing Tuesday night.

Police said they were called to the platform at 7 Avenue and 8 Street S.W. around 10:30 p.m., where they found two men suffering from stab wounds.

Both were transported to hospital, but one has since died from his injuries.

Police did not release any further details, but Calgary's Homicide Unit is investigating.

This murder was the second death on an LRT platform in the past year. Last August, 17-year-old Gage Prevost died after he was pushed and slipped into the gap between two train cars.

Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart, who was meeting with transit safety officials later Wednesday, said commuters don't feel safe on the trains.

"I think it just increases the concern that we have that we need to get control of the drugs and the violence and the bad behaviour downtown," she said. "I think the police seriously need to consider taking over responsibility for the LRT service."

She said that she would raise the issue with both the police and transit officials.

"Whether the stations maintain the same hours, or what we do with them —certainly, everything … has to be on the table for us to look at," she said.

She said she would also raise the possibility of restricting access to the 8th Street Station at certain hours.

Ken Davis, who commutes through the station, said he believes something needs to be done to improve riders' safety.

"This station is the worst station for crime by far, with all the drugs and killing, around this area," Davis said.

"Even though they do have Big Brother here, with the cameras and all, that doesn't seem to make much of a difference either. I wish something else could be done to really get rid of the crime."

He said he would continue to travel through the stop but would like to see more of a police presence across the LRT system.