VPD investigating 'completely unprovoked' attack on 87-year-old Chinatown resident
Vancouver police are investigating an unprovoked bear spray attack on a senior in Chinatown Friday morning that they say was preceded by racist comments.
"Every indication is that this incident was completely unprovoked and may have been fueled by anti-Asian hate," said Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin, in a news release Saturday.
The VPD released images of the suspect taken from surveillance cameras in the area near Pender and Columbia streets where the assault occurred.
Police said the victim, an 87-year-old Chinatown resident, was out for his morning walk when the assault occurred around 11:40 a.m.
The victim was standing at a bus stop "when a stranger came up to him, made racist comments, then bear-sprayed him in the face," according to the VPD release.
Police have not yet identified the suspect, and are asking the public for help in doing so.
“Given the time of day and the location of this incident, we believe there were witnesses who have not yet come forward," Visintin said. "We also believe there will be people who recognize the suspect and can help us identify him.”
The VPD said it is also working to determine whether Friday's attack is related to offensive graffiti that appeared on the red gates outside Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, not far from where the assault occurred.
"The graffiti – the word 'Shhh' in white paint – was interpreted by many in the community as a backlash to Chinatown residents who have been increasingly speaking up about crime and safety concerns in their neighbourhood," police said.
There was a 300-per-cent increase in reported graffiti in Chinatown between 2019 and 2021, according to the VPD, as well as a 425-per-cent spike in reported anti-Asian hate incidents.
Police have increased patrols in the neighbourhood and say they are "working closely" with residents and businesses in the area "to address community concerns."
“People who live and work in Chinatown deserve to feel safe, valued, and respected,” said Visintin. “Violent and unprovoked attacks, rampant graffiti, and street disorder are appalling, and these incidents continue to erode people's sense of safety.”
Police described the suspect in Friday's assault as a man in his 30s who is about six feet tall. He was wearing a black jacket, dark-coloured pants, a grey baseball cap and grey shoes with red trim and white soles. He also carried a black backpack.
Anyone who has information about the incident or recognizes the suspect is asked to call investigators at 604-717-4034, police said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.