Surrey Mounties are warning the public to be hyper-vigilant after a hockey mom was nearly beaten to death while picking up her son from a weekend tournament.
The 53-year-old was found unconscious and severely injured in the parking lot of Newton Arena by first responders and RCMP around 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
She remains clinging to life in hospital but is not expected to survive, and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has already been called to take conduct of the case.
Authorities believe the victim suffered a vicious, unprovoked attack during a purse robbery, and her assailant may have struck her with a rock that was found at the scene.
“We’re trying to determine exactly how this woman received her injuries,” IHIT Sgt. Adam MacIntosh said. “It’s possible that the rock was a part of that.”
Tournament officials describe the victim as a dedicated mother who volunteered as a timekeeper with Surrey Minor Hockey.
Investigators say Sunday’s attack bears similarities to another incident in the same area earlier this month, prompting police and even Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts to urge the public to take steps to stay safe.
“This is a tragic incident and our prayers go out to the family and the woman who is currently on life support,” Watts told reporters at a joint press conference outside of the recreation centre Monday afternoon. “Our goal here today is to get this individual off the street.”
The earlier attack took place Dec. 16, after a woman had just stepped off a bus just a couple hundred metres away from the Newton Arena parking lot.
Mounties are warning women to be extra vigilant and walk with a friend whenever possible, especially after dark.
"It is important that people are aware of their surroundings when they are out and that they keep their valuables concealed," Surrey RCMP Const. Bert Paquet said. "We need to apprehend the person or persons responsible for this horrible crime."
RCMP also advised anyone who is being robbed to give the perpetrator all the property they want if they are approached and verbally or physically threatened.
There have been 24 homicides this year in Surrey, which broke its previous murder record of 22 in November.
Investigators are asking anyone who was in the area of the Newton Arena, Newton bus loop or Newton wave pool last night between 7 to 11 p.m. to contact the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448 by email at ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
