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
BREAKING Bob Cole, veteran CBC broadcaster and former voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada,' dead at 90
Bob Cole, legendary CBC broadcaster and former voice of Hockey Night in Canada, has died. He was 90.
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city's port.