Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Vancouver police investigate unprovoked machete attack – one of several violent incidents over Father's Day weekend

Darpan News Desk Vancouver Police, 20 Jun, 2022 01:25 PM
  • Vancouver police investigate unprovoked machete attack – one of several violent incidents over Father's Day weekend

Vancouver – Vancouver Police are investigating an unprovoked machete attack in the Downtown Eastside – one of several violent and seemingly random incidents that kept VPD officers busy over the Father’s Day weekend.

A VPD officer was flagged over near the Empress Hotel, at Main and Hastings, around 7 p.m. Sunday for reports of a man wielding a weapon. The officer discovered two people who had been slashed with a machete while loading luggage into a waiting taxi.

The attack left both victims with head and neck wounds that required hospitalization, but both are expected to recover.

The victims told police they did not know the attacker – a heavy-set man in his forties who was wearing a grey t-shirt, a blue raincoat, and carrying an umbrella. He was last seen running south from the crime scene and has not been identified.

The machete attack was one of several seemingly unprovoked weekend incidents now under investigation by VPD. Other incidents of note:

  • A 27-year-old man reported being stabbed and bear sprayed by a group of six to eight teens around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, while walking near Drake and Seymour Street. The man, who found his own way to hospital, said he was walking out of a lane when attacked by the group for no apparent reason. The victim’s injuries are not life-threatening and the suspects have not been identified. The investigation is ongoing.
  • A woman was riding a bus from the West End around 6:15 a.m. Saturday when she observed a woman she did not know glaring at her. The victim, 58, got up and moved to a different spot on the bus because she felt uncomfortable, but the suspect followed her. The suspect pursued the victim off the bus at West Pender and Hornby Street, then slapped her in the face for no apparent reason before walking away. The victim called VPD, which is now looking for witnesses and video of the assault.
  • A man was walking near English Bay around 6 a.m. Sunday when a suspect pulled out a fake pistol and pointed it at him. A bystander called 9-1-1, believing the weapon was real. VPD officers responded and arrested the suspect for pointing a firearm. He was found in possession of an airsoft gun with two loaded magazines. Police believe the suspect had been partying overnight at the beach when he got into a confrontation with a stranger.
  • A 23-year-old man from Surrey was leaving a concert at Rogers Arena around 11:30 p.m. Sunday when one of the men was confronted by a group of strangers and was stabbed in the abdomen. The victim was taken to hospital and is expected to survive. The suspects fled and have not been located. VPD investigators are working to determine what led to the confrontation and to identify the people involved.

“With the end of Covid restrictions and the start of summer, Vancouver Police expect to see a surge of people coming to the city to enjoy our beaches, parks, shopping, and entertainment,” said Sergeant Steve Addison.

“More people always bring more calls for police service and the potential for increased conflicts. We’ll continue to make public safety our top priority and we encourage people to call 9-1-1 if they see a crime in progress or need help immediately.”

MORE National ARTICLES

Guard's conduct could be torture: police watchdog

Guard's conduct could be torture: police watchdog
A report issued by Ronald MacDonald of the Independent Investigations Office says the man's hip was broken when he pulled out a weapon and was thrown to the ground during the arrest in May 201

Guard's conduct could be torture: police watchdog

Vancouver school evacuated after weapon report

Vancouver school evacuated after weapon report
The Vancouver Police Department issued a statement on Twitter Thursday, saying Killarney Secondary, which has about 2,000 pupils, was put on lockdown as the Emergency Response Team conducted a room-by-room search.

Vancouver school evacuated after weapon report

Dental program could cost nearly double: PBO

Dental program could cost nearly double: PBO
The Liberals promised to provide coverage by the end of the year for children living in a household with an income of less than $90,000 and expanding next year it to include seniors and persons living with a disability.

Dental program could cost nearly double: PBO

Telus buying LifeWorks in deal valued at $2.9B

Telus buying LifeWorks in deal valued at $2.9B
LifeWorks, formerly known as Morneau Shepell, helps companies with employee and family assistance plans, absence management, pension and benefits administration and retirement planning.

Telus buying LifeWorks in deal valued at $2.9B

Nearly two dozen students and staff contaminated by bear spray at East Vancouver high school.

Nearly two dozen students and staff contaminated by bear spray at East Vancouver high school.
Investigators believe two teenaged suspects, who do not attend Killarney, entered the school just after 9 a.m. and attempted to assault a male student. The suspects deployed bear spray then fled in a vehicle.    

Nearly two dozen students and staff contaminated by bear spray at East Vancouver high school.

Cost of B.C. flooding last year leaps to $675M

Cost of B.C. flooding last year leaps to $675M
The previous estimate was $515 million in losses, but the bureau says in a statement that much of the increase is due to business claims in places where commercial insurance is more available.    

Cost of B.C. flooding last year leaps to $675M