A suspect is in custody after a woman was stabbed just east of Toronto's downtown core on Wednesday afternoon.

Officers said they were called to the area of Sherbourne and Queen Streets shortly before 1 p.m. on reports that a woman had been stabbed in the chest. Police said the incident took place in northeast end of Moss Park, near Shuter Street.

“She was in shock,” said Steve Andrade, a male witness who approached the victim after hearing screams. “You could see fear in her face. She was scared.”

Police believe the attack was random.

“It’s very concerning that we have someone out there, especially if it is completely unprovoked,” said Toronto Police Const. Victor Kwong.

Paramedics said the woman, believed to be in her 50s, was rushed to a nearby trauma centre. Kwong said the woman was conscious and breathing at the time, but was bleeding from the chest area.

Police believe the weapon used in the attack is a three-inch-long folding blade with a blue handle.

The suspect fled the scene on foot, police say.

Late Wednesday, police said a suspect had been arrrested, but no other details were provided.

With a report from Janice Golding