Murder charge laid in 'senseless' stabbing of newcomer from Ukraine: Winnipeg police
Ethan Gladu, 19, charged with 2nd-degree murder in stabbing death of Ivan Rubanik, 46
A 19-year-old man is charged with murder in what Winnipeg police call the "senseless" and unprovoked stabbing of a recent immigrant from Ukraine.
Ivan Rubanik, 46, died in hospital after he was stabbed at Watt Street and Talbot Avenue on Wednesday morning, police said. He was taken to hospital in unstable condition, where he was pronounced dead.
A 19-year-old was arrested following the stabbing. On Friday, police identified him as Ethan Gladu, and said he has been charged with second-degree murder.
Winnipeg police spokesperson Const. Jason Michalyshen called the stabbing death "senseless" during a news conference Friday.
Investigators believe Rubanik was stabbed without provocation as he was walking to work. Gladu, who was arrested Thursday, fled after the stabbing, police say.
"There was no rhyme or reason to this incident, based on our investigation," said Michalyshen.
"There is no information to support that a conversation occurred between these two, that these two knew each other, that there was any type of argument or dispute."
Jasen Dillon, a co-worker of Rubanik at Westward Industries, told CBC on Thursday that Rubanik had been in Winnipeg for less than a year, after fleeing the war in Ukraine.
He worked as an electrician at Westward Industries, which makes electric fleet utility vehicles, and came to the city with his wife and two children, Dillon said.
"He was looking forward to a new start in Canada," he said.
He and other workers at Westward Industries have started collecting money for Rubanik's family through the online fundraising website GoFundMe.
WATCH | Rubanik family 'were looking for a safe place to live,' police say:
Michalyshen said the fundraising efforts proved to him that Rubanik was respected and a friend to many in Winnipeg.
He said Rubanik was taking English classes and wanted to improve his family's life in the city.
They were looking for a safe place to live after fleeing their war-torn country.
"Now, they're left alone without a husband, a father, [with] a lack of financial support and really, without a true understanding of how to live further with their loss, and certainly with a country that they're still learning a lot about."
Ukrainians in Winnipeg 'are hurting'
Joanne Lewandoski, president of Manitoba's Ukrainian Canadian Congress, says the organization is getting ready to help Rubanik's family move through their loss.
"It's not going to be easy. It's a few days before Christmas," she told CBC on Friday.
"It's a sad situation, and especially for the two young children."
Concerns over safety in Winnipeg are not new for her community, but Lewandoski fears the violence will drive some newcomers from Ukraine out of the province.
"We, as Ukrainians, are hurting," she said.
"These are our brothers and sisters, who are running from a war. They're running from … a tragedy that's happening, and thinking that they've come to safety."
Rubanik's death is Winnipeg's 41st homicide in 2023, Michalyshen said.
Winnipeg's 'sad reality'
There was no indication that the 46-year-old had been robbed or targeted because he was an immigrant, Michalyshen said. He hates to admit it, but the attack on Rubanik appears to be a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
"This isn't about placing fear into anyone. We want to acknowledge … the sad reality of what's happened," he said.
"But we also want to provide reassurance that as a police service, we are going to react, respond and hold people accountable to their actions."
Michalyshen said police wanted to take the opportunity on Friday to remind the public of "the human side" to their daily investigations, as Rubanik's family is now one of many dealing with the loss of a loved one heading into the holiday season.
Gladu remains in custody, police said, and their investigation is continuing.
Court records show that he has pending assault and weapons charges that were laid in April and September of this year.
WATCH | Many Winnipeggers in grief this holiday season, police say:
Michalyshen said it's clear that Gladu has "some issues with respect to making good decisions" but would not specify further.
Police ask anyone with video surveillance or other information that might help investigators to call the homicide unit at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 (TIPS), or to submit a secure tip online.
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With files from Rosanna Hempel and Zubina Ahmed