Three suspects in stabbing of man trying to sell phone over Kijiji

A man is expected to fully recover after being stabbed nearly to death in Shawnessy, but while police wait to be able to talk to the man, they are working with a very vague suspect description.

The man, in his 20’s, attempted to sell a cell phone to someone he met over Kijiji and agreed to meet the potential buyer at a parking lot belonging to the Royal Bank around 10 p.m.

The victim hopped out and got into the car of the potential buyer when the stabbing occurred.

Staff Sgt. Jim Stinson, said it is believed there were three men in the vehicle which fled the scene, leaving the man in the parking lot.

The suspected vehicle is described as a white jeep from the mid-90’s.

“The driver of the vehicle was a black male, about 19-years of age, with very short hair, the front seat passenger was a black male, about 19-years of age, no further description on him, the rear seat passenger was a black male, about 19-years of age, shoulder length dreadlocks, wearing a black baseball cap, possibly with a star logo,” said Stinson.

He said the fact that it was a violent robbery over something as insignificant as a cellphone is not as shocking as a person may think.

“A lot of these robberies are over small things unfortunately, these offenders, if they’re going to be violent and they want to take something form you, just give it to them,” he said.

Police believe the man’s girlfriend rushed him to Foothills Hospital with life-threatening wounds, where he has since been upgraded to serious condition.

Duty Inspector Patty McCallum told 660News, that people should always be careful about meeting someone from online.

“It’s always a potential hazard because you’re dealing with someone that you have no idea who they are, what they do, how dangerous or manipulative they can be,” McCallum said.

“They (investigators) haven’t been able to talk to the victim and unfortunately the girlfriend didn’t have a whole lot of information.”

“It appears this was just a sale and that’s where it’s at,” she adds. “I don’t think there’s anything beyond that.”

Investigators are following up on several leads, including the possible addresses of those who might be involved.

660News asked Calgarians about their online buying and selling experiences and if they take precautions to stay safe.

“Yeah definitely, but then the question is what measures should you take,” said Nora Grabinski.

“I have no desire to ever meet up with someone online unless I’m with somebody who knows what they’re doing,” she said.

Jarred, who works as a car salesman in Calgary, said he’s tried the online route, and it’s just not worth the risks.

“You’re going to meet someone who’s already had online dealings with you, so you have a false sense of security, but you don’t know where the products coming from, there are just so many outcomes, this obviously
being the worse, but I think people should buy their products from licensed retailers,” said Jarred.

Most people tell 660News, the dealings they’ve had online have been positive and using common sense and caution can help weed out potential scams or problems.

Calgarians said they wouldn’t be shocked to hear about a scam when meeting up with somebody online, but a violent encounter is shocking.

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