Suspect in Chinatown stabbing was on day-release from psychiatric facility, Vancouver police say
Vancouver's chief of police provided more information Monday about a random stabbing during a festival in Chinatown that left three people with serious injuries -- including that the suspect was out on a day pass from a forensic psychiatric institution.
At a news conference, Chief Const. Adam Palmer said the 64-year-old man who was arrested Sunday has not yet been charged.
"That suspect is now in custody as they work to gather evidence that will bring this person to justice and help explain why the senseless act of violence occurred," he said, later describing the attack as carried out “with no warning and for no apparent reason."
Palmer also said the suspect has had "contact with the police in the past" outside of Vancouver and that he was on a day pass from a forensic psychiatric facility in another city.
When asked to elaborate, Palmer said previous interactions with police had been "serious" and occurred elsewhere in B.C.
Palmer also stressed most people who are mentally ill are not dangerous and are more likely to be victims than perpetrators of crime.
"But there are some people in our community that don't function well and are a danger to the general public. This person is one of those people. So, I do have a lot of concern when somebody of that nature is roaming around, just anywhere in our community," he said.
Palmer also provided some more information about the victims, saying they were a married couple in their 60s and a woman in her 20s. He did not elaborate on their injuries but described them as serious.
"The victims have been treated for their injuries and in time their physical scars will heal but their emotional scars, the scars inflicted on the community, as a result of this crime will of course take much longer.”
Palmer would not comment on the weapon used but did say an "object" had been seized at the scene.
All three are Asian and Palmer said part of the investigation will be to determine if the attack was motivated by hate or racism.
The violence unfolded just after 6 p.m. as hundreds gathered in the neighbourhood for the final day of the Light Up Chinatown festival. Officers who had been assigned to patrol the festival area responded and the suspect was arrested blocks away.
Crime and vandalism have been described as surging or spiking in Chinatown since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and promises to improve public safety and revitalize the historic neighbourhood were a plank in Mayor Ken Sim's campaign platform.
Millions and millions of dollars have been funneled into the neighbourhood since Sim and a majority from his ABC party were elected last year, funding things like a community policing office, an increase in police foot patrols, graffiti removal and funding for events and festivals meant to usher in crowds and commerce.
Palmer insisted that this random and very public crime occurred against a backdrop where efforts by the VPD and the municipal government have made great strides in restoring a sense of safety to the neighbourhood.
"Last night's attack cause some to doubt the tremendous progress that has collectively been made in Chinatown. That is understandable," he said, adding that progress is rarely linear.
"Please know that we're in this together, that we have your back and that crimes like this one that happened last night do not define the Chinatown community."
Sim made similar comments, expressing shock and sadness at the "heartbreaking" attacks while also emphasizing resilience and touting recent improvements – saying the festival was a demonstration of the renewed vitality in the neighbourhood until it was marred by a random act of violence.
"This is a setback, make no mistake about it but whatever we can do to make this community a better place, a safer place – we will," he said.
"We're not giving up."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Canada will be absolutely fine': Justin Trudeau, his ministers and Pierre Poilievre congratulate Donald Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet congratulated Donald Trump Wednesday morning on his second United States presidential election win, amid questions about how the federal government intends to navigate a second term.
What Donald Trump's election victory could mean for Canada
Following president-elect Donald Trump's decisive election victory, there are sure to be significant knock-on effects for Canada. Here's a look at the different areas in which a second Trump presidency may affect Canadians.
Kamala Harris concedes: Here's what she said in her speech
Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris conceded the U.S. election to Republican Donald Trump Wednesday afternoon, telling her supporters that her 'heart is full.'
Canada orders wind up of TikTok's Canadian business, app access to continue
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok's Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Newfoundland hockey player suspended, banned from local arena after off-ice fight with fan
A combination of a thrown stick and thrown punches have given a senior hockey player in Newfoundland a three-game suspension and an indefinite ban from one of his league's six arenas.
Controversial Australian Olympic breakdancer 'Raygun' retires from competition
Australian breaker Rachael Gunn has told a Sydney radio station that she plans to retire from competition just three months after her unconventional routine at the Paris Olympics led to her being ridiculed and spawned conspiracy theories about how she qualified for the Games.
Sleepy during the day? You may be at higher risk for a pre-dementia syndrome, study finds
If you find yourself sleepy during your daily activities in your older age, you may need to consider it more than an inconvenience — since the fatigue may indicate you’re at higher risk for developing a condition that can lead to dementia, a new study has found.
Kamala Harris made a historic dash for the White House. Here's why she fell short.
"Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn't mean we won't win," U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris said on Wednesday in her concession speech.
Who won the popular vote? U.S. election vote totals from the past 40 years
Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency on Tuesday, and as of Wednesday morning, was also ahead in the popular vote. Historically, though, the candidate with the most votes hasn’t always won the contest.