A 31-year-old man has been charged in a vicious attack on a Vancouver tattoo artist that was captured by security cameras Monday afternoon.
The shocking footage shows victim Jojo Geronimo, owner of Looks Wow tattoo parlour, telling a customer to leave her shop when he grabs her and throws her to the ground.
As Geronimo tries to stand up, the man kicks her in the face and chest, sending her flying backward into a chair.
“I didn’t think he would actually do that, throw me and kick me on the floor. He’s so big,” Geronimo told CTV News.
The victim is then seen picking up a chair and throwing it at her attacker as he tries to grab her again.
Mall security steps in and temporarily halts the attack, though the suspect allegedly went on to punch a female guard off-camera before finally being subdued and arrested.
Police Sgt. Randy Fincham couldn’t confirm whether mental health issues played a factor in the attack but said the suspect is known to police
“He does have some involvement with the police department. This newest incident is disturbing to us just for the severity of the alleged assault,” Fincham said. “It is a fairly violent attack and we want to make sure that doesn’t happen to anybody else.”
Vancouver man Byron Thomas Hobbs has been charged with counts of assault causing bodily harm and assault.
He has been released from custody pending a court appearance Wednesday morning.
Geronimo said the suspect’s release has left her scared for her safety.
“Everyone tells me in Canada if you have a mental illness they give [you] more protection than the actual victims,” she said.
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Tom Popyk
