Watchdog investigating after transit police shoot assault suspect in downtown Vancouver
A man who was shot by police in Vancouver’s Gastown Monday had allegedly gone on a violent assault spree and brandished a weapon, according to the Vancouver Police Department.
The VPD, along with the Metro Vancouver Transit Police, were called to West Cordova street near Cambie at around 10:15 p.m
“Officers from both departments engaged the suspect and shots were fired by Metro Vancouver Transit Police,” said Cst. Amanda Steed of the MVTP.
According to the VPD, the suspect had attacked several people before officers showed up.
"We had a report that a woman was slapped in the face, we had a report that this man approached a cyclist and assaulted the cyclist,” said Sgt. Steve Addison of the VPD.
“We believe the man tried to start a fight in front of the Metropole pub,” he added.
The 23-year-old suspect was taken to hospital and is expected to survive, while no police officers were injured.
Neither police force would say what type of weapon the man was allegedly wielding.
"We don’t want to disclose at this point what it was reported to have been because when people come forward we need to make sure what they're saying comes from their own memories and their own versions,” said Addison
“We don’t need to plant ideas in their head,”
The Independent Investigations Office has begun a probe into the shooting.
"What was the interaction between the individual and the police? What if anything did the individual do that justified the use of potentially lethal force against him? said Ronald MacDonald, the IIO's chief civilian investigator.
“Those are the very questions that we're asking.”
Anyone with information or video of the incident is asked to contact the IIO at 1-855-446-8477
VPD’s major crimes unit is now investigating the alleged offences by the suspect before the shooting, Any witnesses or victims who have not yet spoken to police are urged to call 604-717-2541.
Correction
A previous version of this article reported that Vancouver police were involved in the shooting. Sgt. Steve Addison of the Vancouver Police Department confirmed it was a member of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police who shot the suspect.
MVTP originally reported that the suspect in this incident was 38-years old. It has since been confirmed that he is actually 23-years old.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.