A 28-year-old woman who was “viciously” assaulted outside a nightclub on the Granville Street strip early Thursday morning has succumbed to her injuries.
The fight broke out between two women inside the Caprice nightclub around 2 a.m. but quickly ended up on the sidewalk outside. People who watched the violence said one of the women collapsed on the ground and was unconscious as another woman punched and kicked her.
The victim, who officers say did not know her aggressors, was rushed to hospital in critical condition. She passed away Thursday night.
Police say the victim was a contributing member of society with no police history or history of getting into trouble. She was at the Caprice with friends the night of the incident, when a fight allegedly broke out over something “very trivial.”
“In all accounts this is a really tragic set of circumstances,” said VPD Sgt. Brian Montague. “Those that witnessed it are very disturbed by what they saw. The staff at the Caprice nightclub is very upset by what they witnessed.”
Police say the bouncer stepped in to stop the fight, and the two female suspects, ages 25 and 29, fled the scene in a cab before emergency crews arrived.
About half an hour later, two women were taken into custody as they exited a cab near Hastings and Abbott streets. Police said they believe the women were involved in the attack.
The suspects were interviewed, and have since been released. Police say there is no reason to believe the two women, one of whom is from Vancouver and one of whom is from outside the Lower Mainland, pose a risk to public safety.
Alcohol has been deemed a factor in the altercation, police added, but it is not yet clear if the victim consumed alcohol or not.
Montague said that an autopsy will be done to ensure the victim did not die of underlying medical conditions. Charges have not yet been laid, but he fully expects that will happen at some point down the road – potentially manslaughter.
“When these things happen, we will identify you, we will catch you, and we will hold you accountable, and you will find yourself in Criminal or Civil court – or both,” said Montague, noting that one of the women appears to have been the lead aggressor in the incident.
“Virtually every case of a violent incident on the Granville Mall has been solved.”
This is Vancouver’s fifth homicide of the year.
Investigators continue to interview witnesses, and are reviewing video captured both inside and outside of the club. Anyone with more information is asked to contact officers at 604-717-2500 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
With a report from CTV Morning Live's Sheila Scott
