Vancouver police say suspect threw feces at officers prior to Hastings Street takedown
![Waldorf Hotel Vancouver police beanbag shotgun An apparent police shooting that drew a crowd of onlookers outside the Waldorf Hotel on East Hastings Street Saturday night was actually an arrest made using a bean-bag shotgun, Vancouver police say. (YouTube / @CannaBallistic)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/5/22/waldorf-hotel-vancouver-police-beanbag-shotgun-1-6896605-1716403168149.png)
An apparent police shooting that drew a crowd of onlookers outside the Waldorf Hotel on East Hastings Street Saturday night was actually an arrest made using a bean-bag shotgun, Vancouver police say.
The incident began a block away, at the intersection of Franklin Street and McLean Drive, Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin said in an email to CTV News.
Around 9 p.m., officers asked three men who were "obstructing a loading bay" at that location to move, "as this was a City of Vancouver bylaw offence," Visintin said.
"One of the men stated he needed to use the washroom so the officer gave him some wipes and he went behind a dumpster to do his business. When he was done, he took the dirty wipes full of feces and threw it at the officers," she added.
Visintin said the suspect then "unloaded a large can of bear spray" toward the officers, hitting one "directly in the face."
The man fled to Hastings Street and McLean Drive, where he hid inside a portable toilet and refused to exit, prompting the use of the bean-bag shotgun to arrest him, according to police.
Video of the arrest posted on YouTube and shared with CTV News shows several officers and police vehicles blocking Hastings Street. Eight shots can be heard during the short video, and a police dog can also be seen and heard barking.
Visintin did not say whether the suspect suffered any injuries during the arrest, but the Independent Investigation Office of B.C. – which looks into incidents involving police officers that result in death or serious harm – told CTV News it is aware of the incident.
"We are not actively investigating at this point as it does not appear to meet our mandate," the IIO said in an email.
The suspect was taken to jail and multiple charges have been recommended against him, according to Visintin.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6973608.1721691615!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
2nd woman found dead in English Bay: Vancouver police
For the second time in as many days, a woman's body was found near Vancouver's shoreline Monday.
2 Albertans accused of threatening to kill Trudeau, Freeland, Singh
Men from Edmonton and Calgary are accused of threatening to kill some of Canada's top government leaders.
Athletes show off stylish and expensive team clothing for the 2024 Olympic Games
Canadian athletes attempting to reach the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will also be looking fashionable for the entire world to see.
Harris has support of enough Democratic delegates to become party's presidential nominee: AP survey
Vice-President Kamala Harris has secured the support of enough Democratic delegates to become her party's nominee against Republican Donald Trump, according to an Associated Press survey taken in the aftermath of President Joe Biden's decision to drop his bid for re-election.
Four suicides in New Zealand linked to Ontario's Kenneth Law
New Zealand's coroner has ruled that four of its citizens died after ordering products from an Ontario man who is facing murder charges for selling poisonous substances.
Toronto woman charged with voyeurism after taking 'intimate' photos during massage: police
A Toronto woman who allegedly took 'intimate' photos of an individual who was getting a massage has been charged with voyeurism, police say.
IN PICTURES Here's what Calgary's new event centre 'Scotia Place' will look like
The name of Calgary’s new event centre was unveiled on Monday. The arena will be called Scotia Place.
Harris steps into the limelight. And the coconut trees and memes have followed
If you're trying to get up to speed on Vice President Kamala Harris' swift emergence as Democrats' possible nominee this fall, you really need to know your memes.
These are the four leading vice-presidential picks for Kamala Harris' campaign
No one knows the importance of selecting the right running mate better than Vice President Kamala Harris.