Long-time Chinatown security guard 'still traumatized' after random attack; grateful for community support
A well-known security guard in Vancouver’s Chinatown who was attacked by a stranger while on the job said Sunday he’s grateful for the outpouring of support he’s received.
Harold Johnson is still recovering from his injuries after being assaulted on Aug. 12th in the community he’s patrolled for two decades. Bruising could be seen under both of the 64 year-old’s eyes as he stopped by the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese garden on Sunday.
“I’m still traumatized, but I’m going to come back to work,” he said. “I’m not giving up right away.”
Johnson was taking a picture near East Pender and Columbia streets just before the assault.
“He heard the the camera click,” Johnson said. “He dropped his bike. He started swinging and he kicked me twice in the face.”
Vancouver Police said the assault took place around 11 a.m., and added bystanders intervened, and witnesses called 911. A suspect was later arrested in Gastown.
Forty-four year-old Kevin Aaron Hibbard has been charged with assault.
'AN ATTACK ON HAROLD IS AN ATTACK ON CHINATOWN'
Johnson said he’s seen the area change, from a place he described as peaceful, to one in increasing turmoil. He and his wife Brandy, who is also a local shop owner, think he may have been targeted because of his job.
“I told him as he was going out the door, Watch your back, I have a feeling something’s going to happen,'” Brandy said, adding she was just arriving at her Keefer street store when she got the call.
“My heart was beating and of course rushed down to where he was…he was in a lot of pain, I could see that.”
Lorraine Lowe, executive director of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, said they have started an online fundraiser to support Johnson, who had been planning to retire next year.
“Harold’s a part of our family. He’s just an institution. So an attack on Harold is an attack on Chinatown,” she said. “I think what happened to Harold should be a wake-up call for everybody to stop ignoring the fact that there is a serious public safety issue here in Vancouver, not just in Chinatown, but downtown Vancouver.”
Brandy said she has also seen the area decline.
“The merchants are going to come back, and we’re taking it back,” she said. “This is our community.”
Johnson also shared his gratitude for everyone who has reached out with support.
“I want to thank all my merchants, my clients, my friends, my wife for supporting me,” he said.
“That’s all I want to say.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.