Man, 56, injured in machete attack Friday morning in Winnipeg

A 56-year-old man was treated for life-altering injuries after Winnipeg police say he was attacked by a man armed with a machete. 

Police said the victim was walking eastbound on Ellice Avenue near Beverley Street when a man he didn't know approached him from behind around 4:15 a.m. on Friday. The attack was unprovoked, according to a Sunday news release.

"The victim had no idea that this was going to happen, so there was no altercation, there was no argument prior to the assault," Cst. Stephen Spencer told CBC on Sunday. 

The man showed up at Health Sciences Centre on William Avenue and received medical care, the release said. He had serious injuries to his arm, Spencer said. 

Police describe the suspect as five feet and 10 inches tall and say he was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. 

Spencer said the major crimes unit continues to investigate by collecting surveillance footage in the area to help identify person and obtain an updated description of the suspect. 

Spencer said the random machete attack is concerning and he hopes the number of attacks decreases following the province's proposed bill that would restrict the sale of such weapons to people over 18 with photo identification — similar to the sale of bear spray. 

Fines for individuals who break the rules would be as much as $5,000 for a first offence while corporations would face fines up to $25,000, the province previously said during a news conference earlier this month. 

Anyone with information on Friday's assault is asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219, Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477), or online at winnipegcrimestoppers.org.