Kelowna family urges public caution after senior stabbed by stranger in daytime attack

The family of a Kelowna senior who was stabbed in a daytime attack is calling for greater public awareness and answers from police, saying the incident has left their loved one traumatized and fearful to leave her home.

Stephen Wright says his sister — a woman in her early 60s who uses a walker — was walking to the bank on the morning of Dec. 2 in the neighbourhood she has lived in for decades. As she walked along Sutherland Avenue near the Capri Centre Mall, a man approaching from the opposite direction caught her attention.

“He was yelling to himself and seemed really agitated,” Wright said. His sister moved into the bike lane to give the man space as he passed.

Instead, Wright says, the man lunged at her, grabbed her, and struck her in the chest before running off.

“At first she thought she’d been punched,” he said. “It wasn’t until she noticed she was bleeding that she realized she’d actually been stabbed.”

The woman was taken to hospital and required surgery. Her family says the physical injuries are serious, but the emotional toll may be even greater.

“She had a full, predictable routine,” Wright said. “That’s all been torn apart. Now she’s terrified to even step outside because this person hasn’t been caught.”

Police have confirmed a stabbing occurred at the time and location described, and say there is no indication the victim was targeted. The suspect remains at large.

Wright says his family is deeply concerned that no public alert or warning has been issued, given that the attack appears to have been random.

“Anyone around here could be at risk,” he said. “It feels like we’ve been left in the dark.”

In a written response, police said that if there were concerns about public safety, they would notify the public immediately. Investigators say they are continuing their work, including collecting trauma-informed statements and reviewing nearby surveillance footage.

With no official warning released, Wright and his family have taken matters into their own hands. They’ve posted signs in the neighbourhood asking witnesses to come forward and detailing the time and location of the attack.

“We just want to make sure this doesn’t happen to someone else,” Wright said. “No one should feel unsafe walking down their own street in the middle of the day.”