'Brings us closer': Chinatown leaders look ahead after triple stabbing
The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is gearing up for its upcoming Mid-Autumn Moon festivities at the end of the month.
On the minds of organizers is the triple stabbing that happened less than a week ago at the Light Up Chinatown! festival, located across the street from the garden.
Lorraine Lowe, executive director of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, was just steps away when a couple in their 60s and a woman in her 20s were stabbed.
She said the scene was more subdued than chaotic.
“There was some confusion and then about moments later, we just heard some rumblings about some people getting stabbed. So everything was handled really well; the police were on top of it, got on the radio and attended to the victims,” she said.
Blair Evan Donnelly, 64, has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault. He was out on a day pass from the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam.
“This was an isolated incident. The individual had a day pass, and it has absolutely nothing to do -- at least to my knowledge at the moment – that it had anything to do with an attack on the actual community,” Lowe said.
Since the random attack, Jordan Eng, president of the Chinatown BIA, said people have been sending messages of support.
“It's really heartwarming that, you know, we've had this outpouring of support to the neighbourhood businesses and communities,” Eng said.
Eng highlights how Chinatown has its own security guards and has a Safe Walk program.
37TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL TO BE BIGGEST ONE YET
The 37th Mid-Autumn Moon Festival will take place Sept. 29 and 30 between 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
This year’s theme is dubbed A Circus of Dreams.
There will be roving acts from circus performers, musical performances on the main stage and various arts and cultural activities throughout the venue.
“We've really stepped up security and we are in a gated, secured premise here. So, I think it's important to invite everybody to come back down and you know what, not be afraid to celebrate Chinatown,” Lowe said.
She said the biggest difference is this festival will be a ticketed, registered event.
She hopes to see a big crowd for its biggest Mid-Autumn Festival celebration to date.
“There's obviously a silver lining in all of this. It always brings the community back together. And it brings us closer and more resilient,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea level
On a tiny island off Panama's Caribbean coast, about 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for a dramatic change. Generations of Gunas who have grown up on Gardi Sugdub in a life dedicated to the sea and tourism will trade that next week for the mainland’s solid ground.
Trump election victory 'very unlikely,' but 'possible': former FBI director Comey
Former FBI director James Comey says while he believes former U.S. president Donald Trump "will be defeated" in the upcoming presidential election, he doesn’t think it’s a given.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
WestJet ordered to pay B.C. traveller $1,300 for a missed flight connection
A B.C. traveller will receive more than $1,300 in compensation from WestJet for a missed flight connection following a decision from the province's small claims tribunal.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
2 children among 5 people hospitalized after head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa's west end
Two young children and three adults were seriously injured in a major collision on Highway 417 between Palladium Drive and Carp Road in Ottawa's west end Friday afternoon.