Suspect arrested, police seek additional victims after CRAB Park 'stabbing spree'

Vancouver police say at least three people suffered serious injuries in what witnesses described as a "stabbing spree" in a Downtown Eastside park overnight.

The Vancouver Police Department said its officers were patrolling near the waterfront at 3 a.m. Saturday when two victims approached them after fleeing the violence in CRAB Park.

"Around that same time, a 911 caller from inside the park reported a man stabbing random people at the homeless encampment. There were a number of people, a number of casualties, a number of injured people. We responded immediately," spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison said.

“We sent a number of officers into the park immediately including members of our Emergency Response Team, given the gravity of the situation that was unfolding."

Police converged on the area and located a third victim. They also arrested a 42-year-old suspect as he attempted to flee the park.

A spokesperson for B.C. Emergency Health Services told CTV News it dispatched five ambulances to the park shortly before 3:10 a.m. Saturday.

Three patients were taken to hospital, according to the spokesperson, who said EHS did not have information on the patients' condition.

The VPD said the victims had suffered "various serious injuries," including "stab wounds and punctured organs." Police described the victims as three men, one in his 30s, another in his 40s and a third who has not been identified.

“The information that we had is that we had essentially an active deadly threat. We had a person who was moving around inside the encampment who was reported to have a knife and was actively stabbing people,” Addison said. “In a situation like that our duty and responsibility is to move quickly to stop the threat and to rescue people.”

Addison also said that because so many people fled before officers arrived, police fear there could be more victims and they are encouraged to seek medical attention and then get in touch with investigators.

Police are recommending charges of attempted murder against the suspect, who they are also recommending be held without bail.

Addison says the man is known to VPD but further information about his identity will only be released if and when Crown counsel approves the charges.

Located on the waterfront at the north end of Main Street, CRAB Park has been home to a tent city for more than a year.

Last November, the Vancouver Park Board sought an injunction to remove the encampment, but the B.C. Supreme Court denied the request.