Multiple people in hospital, suspect shot after machete attack on Vancouver's Granville Street
Five people, including a suspect, were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a violent incident that drew a massive police presence to downtown Vancouver's main entertainment district Saturday night.
The incident began before 10 p.m., according to a statement from the Vancouver Police Department.
The VPD said its officers were called to the scene by Vancouver Fire Rescue Services around that time after a man set fire to his suite in a rooming house near the intersection of Granville and Smithe streets.
"The man subsequently attacked and stabbed four people inside the building," police said in their statement.
"When officers arrived, they were confronted by the suspect who was still armed with the weapon."
Police described the man's weapon as a "machete," and said on Twitter around 1:30 a.m. Sunday that police had shot the suspect.
Canadian-based musician Ashley Pater – who was performing at the Roxy Cabaret, one of several clubs and live music venues in the area – told CTV News the business had initially been evacuated due to a fire concern.
“Midway through my set, my manager smelled something he thought may have been gas,” Pater said. “He reported it, and next thing next we knew authorities were called and alarms were going off.”
Pater said once she got outside, the situation quickly escalated.
“Next thing I knew, we saw someone lying on the ground and they were surrounded by firemen,” she said. “We heard some word that there were gunshots and something like that all out on the street, then everyone was ushered down the sidewalk towards Smithe Street.”
In a Facebook post, the Roxy Cabaret said it would be closing early "due to an incident that occurred at a neighbouring business," and clarified that none of its staff or patrons had been involved in the violence.
The suspect was arrested and taken to hospital for treatment of serious, non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
They added that the four victims of the machete attack were also taken to hospital with "serious, life-altering injuries."
The VPD's Major Crimes Section is leading the investigation.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. – which is called whenever an incident involving police officers in the province results in death or serious injury to a member of the public – confirmed to CTV News that it had also been called to investigate.
"What it'll come down to is us trying to determine at the time the police engaged with the individual what level of threat did he pose and was the threat or was the action or force used by police appropriate in response,” the IIO's Chief Civilian Director, Ron MacDonald told CTV News.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
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.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.