Suspect arrested after daytime stabbing in downtown Vancouver
Vancouver police arrested a man Wednesday afternoon who they believe had been chasing people with a knife.
Witnesses told CTV News it appeared the suspect was assaulting people he didn’t know, and at random.
Just after noon, a man was spotted leaving the 7-Eleven at Smithe and Beatty streets. Moments later, witnesses saw him begin to attack people.
Others saw what looked liked victims trying to flee the scene.
“I saw a gentleman running down the street,” said Lisa Callender, who works at a salon on Cambie Street.
”It was like running, not like ‘I’m going to try to catch the bus, it was like ‘I need to get out of here,’” she said.
Police tape was strung at various spots along Smithe and Cambie streets, where most of the assaults occurred.
“Like it was just chaos,” said Shannon Jefferson, who also works at a salon.
“Clients were like ‘get out,’ and the guys who were walking to the salon were kind of freaking out,” she said.
Police confirmed at least one man was stabbed, and images obtained by CTV News show he was struck in the side.
“Our officers deployed immediately. They arrived on scene, they were able to take the suspect into custody” said Const. Tania Visintin of the Vancouver Police Department.
The victim was taken to hospital but police say his injuries were not life-threatening and that he has been released.
BC Emergency Health Services said two patients were taken to hospital by ambulance. Police confirmed, when asked, that the second person transported was the suspect.
A knife, a culinary blowtorch and a lighter were found at the scene.
Other witnesses said it appeared the suspect was trying to burn people or set them on fire.
“What led up to this incident, what causes suspect to do that, our investigators are working hard to determine,” said Visintin.
Anyone with information is urged to call 604-717-2541.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.