Father dies after being stabbed near son's downtown Winnipeg elementary school

Family gathered for a vigil in downtown Winnipeg Wednesday evening to remember the "great father" who died after being stabbed near his son's elementary school.

Ricky Dwayne Mancheese, 49, died Tuesday following a stabbing on Kennedy Street between Cumberland and Sargent avenues that morning, Winnipeg police said Wednesday.

Mancheese's wife Shirley Perrault told CBC News the couple was walking home to meet their 12-year-old son for lunch when the assault happened.

"I feel lost, heartbroken," Perrault said in a phone interview before the vigil.

She says her husband of 15 years was a caring, funny and helpful man who had a passion for drumming and music.

People brought pictures of Mancheese to the vigil and lit candles at the spot where he lay injured the day before.

WATCH| Mourners pay tribute to Ricky Mancheese:

Family, friends hold vigil for man stabbed to death in downtown Winnipeg

3 months ago

Duration 0:45

A small group of people gathered on Kennedy Street in downtown Winnipeg Wednesday evening, to remember Ricky Dwayne Mancheese, who died after being stabbed at that location on Tuesday morning. No arrests have been made, police said Wednesday.

Officers responded to the 400 block of Kennedy just before noon on Tuesday, police said in a news release Wednesday.

CBC saw emergency personnel performing CPR on a man lying on a stretcher there about a half-block from Sister MacNamara Elementary School.

Mancheese was rushed to hospital in critical condition but died from his injuries.

Perrault said right before the assault, she and Mancheese had been discussing what to make for lunch when an "aggressive" man came walking across the road.

Mancheese and the man got into a verbal altercation in the street that ended up on the opposite side, Perrault said. That's where she said she noticed the man had pulled out a knife.

"There's cars parked along the streets. I couldn't see them. They were behind the car, and I heard my husband moaning."

Perrault said by the time she crossed the street, the man was running down Kennedy, and her husband was covered in blood.

"I haven't slept, and I can't get the image and the sound of Rick in pain and seeing his body, just keep replaying in my head," Perrault said.

She said Mancheese was a father who loved his family and who people remembered as a comedian and gentle giant.

"I just want to say like, I can't do this. I can't live without Rick."

Police said Wednesday their investigation is ongoing and that no one has been arrested.

Anyone with video surveillance or information that could helpinvestigators is asked to call police at 204-986-6508 or leave an anonymous tip withCrime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.

Anonymous tips can also be left throughCrime Stoppers.