Police say that a Winnipeg pastor allegedly narrowly escaped being stabbed by Pawel Olownia during a Sunday Mass service.
A Winnipeg priest narrowly escaped an attempted stabbing during Sunday mass, with the entire incident captured on camera.
Winnipeg Police Service Press Release Re: Pawel Olownia Arrest
Assault Weapon – Arrest: C25-29540
On February 9, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Winnipeg Police Service responded to a report of an armed male disrupting a church service in the 300 block of Selkirk Avenue.
North District General Patrol officers attended and learned that a 50-year-old male suspect armed with a knife approached the altar during a service and advanced toward a 38-year-old pastor (victim). The suspect attempted to assault the victim, who managed to escape unharmed. The suspect drove the knife into the altar before sitting in a chair at the back of the altar. No injuries were reported during the incident.
An off-duty RCMP member, with the assistance of other church attendees, detained the suspect until police arrived and took him into custody.
Pawel Olownia, 50 years of Winnipeg, has been charged with the following:
• Assault with a Weapon
• Possession of a Weapon
• Disturb Meeting – Assemblage of Persons
He was detained in custody.