Man violently assaulted, robbed by 6 people at LRT station: EPS

A 64-year-old man was violently attacked and robbed at an Edmonton LRT station last month.

The victim was waiting for a train at Churchill Station around 5:30 a.m. on Feb. 24 when he was approached by another man.

They briefly spoke before the man attacked the 64-year-old and knocked him to the ground, the Edmonton Police Service said on Wednesday.

Five more people joined in on the attack and robbed the victim, police said.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

EPS issued warrants to arrest Travis Damian Houle, 35, and charge him with aggravated assault, robbery and failure to comply with probation orders.

Police are searching for Travis Damian Houle in connection to an LRT attack at Churchill Station on Feb. 24, 2024. (Supplied)

Police also described and posted photos of the other suspects in a news release.

Police are looking for the people accused of attacking a 64-year-old man at Churchill Station on Feb. 24, 2024. (Supplied)

Anyone who knows where Houle is or can identify the other attackers is asked to call EPS at 780-423-4567.

Transit safer than last year: data

As EPS asked for help to find the attackers, transit and police officials presented a quarterly report on transit safety to council members.

Despite the latest attack, City of Edmonton officials say transit is safer than last year, with severe crime down by 11 per cent.

"The numbers are showing a positive trend," Coun. Anne Stevenson said. "Overall, crime and crime severity are trending downwards, which is exactly what we want to be seeing."

The report found nearly 65 per cent of Edmontonians feel safe using transit.

"It is getting safer, but we have to acknowledge the fact that the perception is still nowhere close to where it needs to be," Coun. Andrew Knack said.

"Over a third of people don't feel safe when using the system."

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said there are more police officers and personnel at transit stations but there is still work to be done.

"We are trending in the right direction," Sohi said. "There are incremental improvements to safety and people’s experience related to transit, but we have a long way to go."