Police poring over photos, videos posted online during Vancouver music festival riot
Photos and video began circulating on social media almost immediately after a riot broke out at a Vancouver music festival last week. Now, police are poring over all of those posts as evidence in a criminal probe.
The chaos erupted at the PNE when the headlining act, Lil Baby, abruptly cancelled his concert Sunday night. The venue was trashed by angry fans and property damage in the area is estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Seven people were arrested that night.
Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison said everyone who pulled out their phone and recorded what was happening was – intentionally or not --- collecting evidence that the investigators are now combing through.
"Sometimes people do make it easy for us when they pull out their cameras and start to record themselves, or their friends or other people while committing criminal acts," he said.
"There is already a significant amount of evidence. Just look at social media, look what people have already blasted out there on social media. We’re going to ask those people to send us the video we’re expecting there’s going to be a lot."
On Wednesday, the department launched a dedicated online portal where people can upload images or footage. The website says police are specifically looking for anything "depicting violence, destruction, or other criminal acts."
There were approximately 5,200 people inside the venue for the festival, and officials estimate about 1,000 of them remained after the headliner's cancellation.
Along with vendor kiosks and garbage cans being overturned, tables, tents and fridges were knocked down and thrown, police said. The VPD also said officers trying to control the crown were met with hostility and had bottles and other objects thrown at them.
The crowd also spilled out into the surrounding neighbourhood, reportedly doing additional damage to local businesses. No serious injuries were reported.
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart also weighed in on the incident, saying "this has no place in our city and I hope police catch these folks"
With files from CTV News Vancouver's St. John Alexander and Alyse Kotyk
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
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.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
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.
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.