14-year-old boy charged after teen girl slashed with machete, robbed in Winnipeg

A 14-year-old boy has been charged in connection with armed robberies and a machete attack on a teenage girl.

A 17-year-old girl with severe injuries was rushed to hospital in critical condition after Winnipeg police responded to a report of a stabbing near Sargent Avenueand Toronto Street in the West End around 1 a.m. Friday.

She was later upgraded to stable condition.

The suspect was found in the nearby Spence neighbourhood and arrested.

Police saya group of young people who kneweach other were socializing when there was a confrontation.

Bear spray wasdeployed andthe girl wasslashed with a machete, police said.

All of the young people except the girl ran from the area before police arrived, they said.

Investigatorsalso believe the 14-year-old boy is linked to arobbery on Wednesday in Fort Garry.

Two 14-year-old boyswere confronted at knifepoint and robbed in the Parker area of Fort Garry just before 8:30 p.m. that day.

The accused boy is charged with aggravated assault,robbery and weapons-related offences.

The major crimes unit asks anyone with information to call investigators at 204-986-6219 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS(8477).