'Terrified' western P.E.I. residents lock doors as hunt goes on for sword attacker

 

Ground Search and Rescue team and police dog deployed in area, RCMP say

RCMP officers near Seacow Pond Beach on Saturday. The person who attacked two people with a sword at the beach Friday night is still at large.

People in western P.E.I. are locking their doors and some are even closing their businesses as RCMP continue to search for a man who attacked a group of people with a sword on a secluded beach

It happened on Seacow Pond Beach near Tignish Friday night. Police say a 42-year-old woman sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and a youth who was with her received minor injuries.  

The man behind the attack could be anywhere now, police say. That has some people in nearby communities anxiously awaiting word of an arrest. 

"People are keeping their doors locked... terrified to get out of the house," said resident John Pitre. "Hopefully, they'll find who it is... It's hard for the community. Like, everybody's on edge."  

• Suspect in P.E.I. sword attack remains at large as speculation swirls

Michele MacDonald, the manager of a local gift shop, said she closed her doors over the weekend, fearing for the safety of herself and her staff.  

'It's hard for the community,' says John Pitre. 'Everybody's on edge.'

"[When] I came to work, I fully expected the road to be blocked off, but there was nothing," said MacDonald. "We had to make a call whether we stayed open or closed, and what have you, so we did close the shop for a couple of days." 

Some people visiting the area said they were shocked by what happened. 

Julie Ross and her partner are in the province for the first time, biking the Island. A local store owner told them about the incident. 

Michele MacDonald temporarily closed her gift shop, unnerved by the fact nobody has been arrested over Friday night's attack.

"The gentleman working behind the counter mentioned it to us, and just said, 'You might want to be careful if you're biking up that way,' so that gave me a little bit of a start, I'm not going to lie," said Ross. "But it hasn't changed our plans at all."  

CBC News spoke with several people who didn't feel comfortable being interviewed on camera, out of fear for their safety. However, one senior who lives alone said this incident has stolen more from people in the community than money could ever replace. 

Police 'following up on tips'

RCMP, who issued an alert late Friday night warning people of an "active" and "dangerous" person in the area, said Monday that they're continuing to follow up on tips. 

Cpl. Gavin Moore said the RCMP Major Crimes Unit has been in the area for the entire weekend along with general duty officers. Ground Search and Rescue members and an RCMP police dog team are among those scouring the area, he said.

Julie Ross, who was on a bicycle tour of western P.E.I., heard about the beach attack on a stop at a local store.

"We are following up on tips and we've been able to rule out quite a number of the tips that come in," Moore said.

"We've been doing neighbourhood inquiries and speaking with residents. We've also gone through to local businesses seeking information, any video footage that may be available."

• Residents 'unnerved' as RCMP search for man accused of attacking woman with sword on P.E.I. beach

The attacker was described as being five feet 10 inches tall, wearing a dark surgical mask and possibly a green hoodie.

'It's traumatic for the community'

The motive is still unknown, as well as any link between the attacker and the victims.  

"We do ask that Islanders remain vigilant, keep their doors and windows locked, and keep an eye out for each other," Moore said.

'An incident like this is quite jarring. It's traumatic for the victims involved. It's traumatic for the community and the Island as a whole,' says Cpl. Gavin Moore of the RCMP.

"An incident like this is quite jarring. It's traumatic for the victims involved. It's traumatic for the community and the Island as a whole."

Police are asking anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact them at 902-853-9300.