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
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.