Man who allegedly stabbed gym-goer in the head in ‘frenzied’ attack found sitting in McDonalds

The victim of an “unprovoked” and “frenzied” attack was using gym equipment when a stranger allegedly stabbed him twice in the side of the head. LATEST >>

Police investigate a "random" knife attack at Zap Fitness in Kings Meadows. Picture: PATRICK GEE

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THE suspect of a “frenzied” and unprovoked knife attack on an unsuspecting gym-goer was found by police sitting in McDonald’s at Kings Meadows just before 9am on Thursday.

The 33-year-old alleged victim was stabbed twice in the right side of his head as he worked out at Zap Fitness at Kings Meadows about 1.15pm on Wednesday.

He sustained defensive wounds to his hands fighting off the alleged attacker.

Gym staff tended to the alleged victim who was transported to hospital by ambulance and received stitches to his hands, temple and the inside and outside of his right cheek.

The suspect reportedly went to the Launceston General Hospital about 2pm on Wednesday and was spoken to briefly before leaving the scene without receiving any medical treatment.

EARLIER: MAN ARRESTED AFTER GYM KNIFE ATTACK

Detective Inspector Kim Steven. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Police searched numerous areas in Launceston for the 45-year-old suspect overnight before officers spotted him sitting at a table McDonald’s and arrested him without incident.

Detective Inspector Kim Steven said the man was receiving medical treatment from a nurse in the remand centre on Thursday before he was interviewed.

He was charged with committing an act intended to cause grievous bodily harm and was due to appear in Launceston Magistrates Court in an out-of-hours session on Thursday night.

Inspector Steven said CCTV footage of the incident from inside the gym was “very clear”.

Police investigate a "random" knife attack at Zap Fitness in Kings Meadows. Picture: PATRICK GEE

He said the victim was “working out in the gym completely oblivious to what was coming up behind him”.

“It’s quite graphic,” he said.

“[It was] completely unprovoked. [It was] a frenzied attack I’d say.”

Insp Steven said the offender “simply left the premises” after the attack and the knife was left at the gym.

He said drugs and mental health were possible factors.

“There’s normally a reason why these things occur.

“We’ll work through the reasons why over the next three or four hours.”

Insp Steven said random assaults were very rare in Tasmania.

“We’re used to having criminals on criminals and known people to each, but random ones like this are very rare, which is a concern to us and the reason we put a huge team on it.
“Within 18 hours, the person was in custody without any further incident to anyone in the public.”