Winnipeg police are searching for a suspect after they say a man was attacked by someone with a machete early Friday morning.

Police said they were called to the Health Sciences Center shortly after 5 a.m. to reports of a man suffering from life-threatening injuries resulting from an assault with a weapon.

An initial investigation suggested the 56-year-old victim was walking along Ellice Avenue, near Beverley Street, when he was attacked from behind by a person believed to be armed with a machete. It appears the attack was unprovoked as the suspect and victim did not know each other.

The suspect is described as an Indigenous man, five feet ten inches tall, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) Major Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation, but no arrests have been made at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact WPS or Crime Stoppers.