A downtown Vancouver park frequented by families and children was cordoned off with police tape Thursday after an early morning assault that left a man dead.
The victim, a 38-year-old Vancouver resident, is believed to have been attacked in Coopers' Park, a greenspace with a playground located below the north end of the Cambie Street Bridge.
He was discovered shortly before 1:30 a.m. at the nearby Parq Casino, where he apparently stumbled in search of help.
"The information I have is that he collapsed just outside the casino, and people at the casino called 911," Sgt. Jason Robillard told reporters Thursday afternoon.
The victim was rushed to hospital, where he underwent surgery, but could not be saved. His death marks Vancouver's eighth homicide of the year.
Police said evidence led them from the casino back to Coopers' Park, where they conducted a grid search for any further clues about what happened.
So far, the motive remains unclear.
"We're looking at all possibilities," Robillard said. "But this is a very early crime scene and early on in the investigation."
The injuries suffered by the deceased aren't being shared yet, he added.
Anyone who might have seen something unusual in the area early Thursday morning is asked to reach out to police, even if they don't think their information will be useful.
"Please call us, even if you don't think it's relevant. Let us determine that. Give us a call and let us know what you know," Robillard said.
With files from CTV Vancouver's Sheila Scott
