'This is not right': Transit police search for suspect after elderly woman attacked on SkyTrain
Metro Vancouver Transit Police are searching for a suspect after a disturbing attack on a SkyTrain last month in Vancouver that sent an elderly woman to hospital.
Janice Derrick’s relatives said she was coming home from Christmas shopping when she was assaulted by a stranger.
Derrick’s niece Kandice Boudreau said her 76-year-old aunt is still recovering in at Burnaby Hospital two weeks later.
“I was just in shock that my aunt got attacked,” she said. “You know, unprovoked attack. She’s an elderly First Nations woman. This is not right.”
Boudreau said Derrick was coming home on Nov. 23 between 5 and 6 p.m. when she boarded the train at Commercial Drive for her usual ride to Renfrew station.
Before she got there, Derrick’s family and police said the Gitxsan elder had picked up a piece of clothing that she saw on the train floor, folded it, and placed it on an empty seat.
Sgt. Clint Hampton with the Transit Police said the woman sitting beside the empty seat “took exception to this.”
“She began yelling, swearing,” he said.
Boudreau said the woman then got up and attacked her aunt.
“Just started hitting her on the head,” she said. “She was screaming for help, and nobody helped her.”
Sgt. Hampton said Derrick was met by a SkyTrain attendant at the station, where she treated by paramedics before being taken to Burnaby Hospital.
“The victim's caregiver was actually able to come and she was updated on the events,” he said.
Derrick’s sister and niece said they weren’t notified at the time and found out two days later. They said Derrick has a knee fracture, and it’s unclear how long she may remain in hospital.
“She’s very traumatized,” Boudreau said. “It’s going to be very difficult for her to get back on a train after this has happened.”
Sgt. Hampton said while there is no video from the train, cameras would capture the suspect getting on and off.
“At this point in time, we’re not appealing to the public in order to identify the suspect. We’re looking at other investigative means,” he said. “We don’t have any indication to suspect that this is an ongoing thing, or that this has occurred on multiple occasions.”
Derrick’s sister Margaret said an Indigenous liasion officer from the transit police visited her at the hospital.
“They gave her a smudge there, and did some prayers,” she said. “She said, ‘there must be a reason why she did this to me, she must be a very unhappy lady.’”
Boudreau and her mother said Derrick is also very friendly, and loves people.
“My aunt already forgives this lady that attacked her,” Boudreau said. “She prayed for her.”
Derrick’s family wants to let others know what happened, and they’re hoping the suspect is found.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.