Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a stabbing early Tuesday that sent a teenage male to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police said officers were called to the area of King Street North and Princess Street West in Waterloo around 12:55 a.m. following reports of an altercation involving two groups between the ages of 16 and 19-years-old. “Upon arrival, officers located a youth victim that has sustained multiple stab wounds,” said Const. Brad Hickey. The young male was taken to an out-of-region hospital for treatment. Investigators said the teenager was also sprayed with bear spray during the altercation. Several bystanders were exposed to the bear spray and suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries. They were treated at the scene by paramedics. A second male went to a local hospital with minor “knife-related injuries.” Police believe he was involved in the altercation. Police believe the people involved knew each other and said it was a targeted incident. Spots of blood could be seen on the sidewalk near the busy Uptown Waterloo intersection Tuesday morning as officers investigated. The incident has raised concerns for some people who work in the area. Kieran Senior, an inventory manager at a local cannabis dispensary, said there have been several incidents in the area in recent years. “There’s been quite a few things over the last few years that have happened on the street between assaults, shootings, people being approached in ways that they shouldn’t be,” Senior said. He added the area is relatively safe during the day, but advised people to be cautious late at night. “I just wouldn’t want to be somebody out here past probably like 12:00 at night, because again, that’s usually when issues happen,” Senior said. He also urged people, particularly students, to take precautions when spending time in Uptown Waterloo at night. “It is a university town that’s known for having people out and partying and stuff,” he said. “But you have to be really safe and make sure you know who you’re with,” Senior said. The investigation is ongoing. Police say there have been no arrests or charges laid at this time. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have video footage is urged to come forward.
