Winnipeg man charged after University of Manitoba dorm room attack

Winnipeg police have arrested and charged a man believed to be connected to an attack on a University of Manitoba dorm room.

Police told CTV News officers responded to a “suspicious call” from a restaurant on the southbound lane of the Pembina Highway around 11 p.m. Friday. The call came from a member of the public who saw the earlier alert and called police about a man outside the restaurant who reportedly matched the description of the suspect.

The suspect was arrested in the 1800 block of Pembina Highway.

Investigators determined the man entered the residence hall building on Dafoe Road early Friday morning and then entered the woman’s dorm room. There, the woman told police that the man attacked her.

Garry Edwards Jr., 46, was charged with multiple felonies, including breaking and entering with intent to enter a dwelling, sexual assault, robbery and overcoming resistance by attempting to strangle, suffocate or suffocate another person.

Police also thanked the public, media and the University of Manitoba for their assistance in locating and identifying the suspect involved.

Edwards was taken into custody.

The University of Manitoba released a statement Saturday afternoon acknowledging the arrest. He also re-emphasized the additional security measures put in place following the incident, including increased security presence and staffing, as well as routine checks of all residential entrances and exits.

convicted sex offender

Edwards is a convicted sex offender, according to the state’s justice department.

The 46-year-old man was released from custody twice last year; one in May 2024, after serving a sentence for being an illegal fugitive. Prior to this crime, Edwards had been released in November 2023 after serving 12 years in prison.

Edwards has a lengthy criminal record that includes convictions for sexual assault with a weapon, armed robbery, breaking and entering to commit burglary, burglary, assault and numerous recognizance violations.

According to the state, the previous convictions stemmed from separate sexual assault incidents that occurred on the same day in April 2012, in which Edwards randomly assaulted two women several hours apart.

When he was released in May, Edwards was subject to conditions that included living in accommodation approved by the Correctional Service of Canada; not to consume, purchase or possess alcohol or drugs; Immediately report all relationships and friendships with women and girls to Edwards’ parole supervisor; and not contacting victims or their families. He was also subject to a lifetime weapons ban.

Due to his history of violent and sexual offending, Edwards was assessed as being at high risk of re-offending involving sexual and/or sexual violence against women and girls.

– With files from CTV’s Devon McKendrick