The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has been called in to investigate the Hamilton police’s response to a stabbing in the city’s east end.

On Saturday at approximately 9:50 p.m., the “Hamilton Police Service received numerous 9-1-1 calls for a stabbing incident at a local apartment building in the east end of the city,” Staff Sgt. Michael Webber said in a news release.

Officers found “injured parties” on scene, a building on Melvin Avenue near Parkdale Avenue North, and attended to their wounds.

“As officers were assisting with the injured parties, they were alerted to a male party who was identified to be the culprit involved,” said Webber.

He said the male suspect ran away and police chased him on foot.

“As a result of the interaction between Hamilton Police and the male suspect, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was contacted,” said Webber. “The SIU have control of this investigation at this time.”

Paramedics transported four assault victims and the male suspect to hospital to be treated for their injuries.

The SIU is called in any time police are involved in an incident in which someone is severely injured, killed or alleges sexual assault.