Montreal police are investigating two violent attacks that took place in the downtown core overnight, leaving two men in hospital, one in critical condition.
The first incident involved a 23-year-old man who was attacked in the Gay Village, on Ste-Catherine Street near Saint-André Street around 3:30 a.m. ET.
Police said the suspect was walking down the street with about a dozen people when he jumped on the victim while the others watched.
"One of the person in the group punched him a couple of times in the face and head," explained police spokesman Raphael Bergeron. "The man lost consciousness, and he was bleeding in his face."
Bergeron said two American tourists called police after witnessing the beating. It's not clear whether the victim was gay or whether gay-bashing motivated the attack.
The suspect and his companions fled the scene before officers arrived, Bergeron said.
Officers are waiting to interview him to establish a motive. "Investigators will probably have to meet with the victim during the day or overnight to see what probably started the attack," Bergeron said.
The victim is in now in critical but stable condition at hospital and will require several tests before he is released on the weekend.
Attacked on the street with a knife
The second attack took place in Place du Canada at the corner of de la Gauchetière Street and de la Cathédrale Street.
A 27-year-old man was standing on the street talking to a friend when four suspects attacked him with a knife, police said.
The victim was stabbed in the arm and lost a lot of blood, but his life is not in danger.
Police have no suspects in either case.
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