RCMP ask for help to identify person near scene of Selkirk stabbing that left woman, 39, dead

UPDATE: RCMP said on July 4 they had arrested a 15-year-old girl in connection with the homicide. CBC has removed the previously issued photo of the person of interest.

Police are asking for help identifying a person of interest who was near the scene of a Monday night stabbing in Selkirk, Man., that left a 39-year-old woman dead.

RCMP were called with a report of a stabbing outside a business on Manitoba Avenue around 11:50 p.m. on Monday, police said in Wednesday news release.

Officers and emergency medical services found the woman with critical injuries and took her to hospital, where she died shortly after.  

"Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries within the hour," said Sgt. Paul Manaigre, media relations officer with Manitoba RCMP.

The woman's death is being investigated as a homicide. Selkirk RCMP continue to investigate, with help from major crime and forensic identification services, the release said.

Manaigre said police believe the stabbing was "not a random incident," as there had been an altercation between the victim and at least one individual outside the business that night.

RCMP are now asking for the public's help to identify a woman they say was near the scene. They released a photo of the woman on Wednesday afternoon.

Police are asking anyone with information about her identity to call Selkirk RCMP at 204-482-1222, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or www.manitobacrimestoppers.com. 

RCMP said officials would like to speak to the woman to learn more about what happened. 

"At this point it's … putting the pieces together of who was there, trying to identify everyone involved, interview those that may have witnessed this, and then eventually make that arrest and lay those charges,"  Manaigre said. 

Police hope to have more information available to the public soon, he said.

More from CBC Manitoba: