May long weekend marked by violent crimes in Vancouver
Vancouver police were kept busy over the long weekend responding to a number of violent crimes being reported throughout the city.
That included the city’s fifth homicide, which claimed the life of a 19-year-old man. It happened in the early hours of Monday morning near The Gallery nightclub in the Marpole neighbourhood.
A witness told CTV News a young man ran from the scene of a fight involving multiple people with a stab wound in his neck. Paramedics would tend to him at the scene but he later died in hospital.
Early Sunday morning, a street fight was caught on video involving several people near Howe and Davie streets, a block from the Granville entertainment district. In the video, someone is seen getting kicked several times while laying defenseless on the ground. Vancouver police say none of the victims co-operated with investigators.
“Really appalled, but not surprising,” said John Clerides, after watching the brawl caught on camera. The longtime business owner in Vancouver’s West End says violence on the streets is only getting worse.
Clerides points to repeat offenders, who, in his opinion, go unpunished for their crimes too often.
“(The courts should be) prosecuting them. And make it known that public safety is the number one concern,” he said.
Earlier this month, the B.C. government said it would launch an independent, short-term study into repeat criminal offenders in the province, which will guide plans to curb chronic crime and random attacks.
Vancouver city council also held a special meeting on public safety two weeks ago, giving some residents the opportunity to share their concerns with councillors and the mayor.
“What we did hear loud and clear is we need (jail) sentences for these individuals, and we need to advocate for the gaps in mental health and treatment services,” said Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung.
“People are falling through the cracks, and we’re seeing it play out on our streets.”
Several hours before the street fight, around 11:30 on Saturday night, police say three teenage girls assaulted, pepper sprayed, and robbed a 15-year-old girl at a park near Richards and Smithe streets. The victim notified a parent who then alerted the police. No arrests have been made.
In a similar incident on Friday, an 87-year-old man was bear sprayed in Chinatown, near East Pender and Columbia streets, in what police call a random attack, possibly linked the anti-Asian hate. The suspect, who has not been identified, allegedly hurled racial slurs before assaulting the senior of Asian descent.
Mayor Kennedy Stewart has previously said he feels the city is safe, despite the VPD sounding the alarm over a spike in random assaults and hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“People are feeling concerned and fearful about walking in their neighbourhoods,” said Kirby-Yung. “This is something I take seriously and I think council needs to take seriously. It’s not helpful when you have a mayor who says he feels safe in the city.”
CTV News has reached out to the mayor’s office for comment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.