Vancouver police report 60 assaults over Family Day weekend, many unprovoked

Posted February 23, 2022 9:34 am.

Last Updated February 23, 2022 3:48 pm.

Vancouver police say they’re investigating a disturbing number of assaults over the Family Day long weekend, nearly two dozen of which are described as “unprovoked stranger attacks.”

Police say they responded to 60 assault calls between Friday and Monday. Several incidents left people in need of medical attention.

In one case, the VPD says a man was attacked near Victoria Drive and E. 39 Avenue Saturday morning after two men followed him off the bus. He sustained injuries to his head.

The #VPD has made significant progress with investigations into the large number of unprovoked stranger attacks. Still, violence remains a problem. #VPD is investigating 60 assaults over the #FamilyDay long weekend with 22 cases being investigated as possible stranger assaults.

— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) February 22, 2022

Another man was found unconscious in a lane near Davie Street. He had been beaten and robbed.

Vancouver police shared details of some of the incidents in a series of tweets.

There were at least two incidents of violence within workplaces during that time period, according to police.

“A staff member of a West Hastings hotel asked an unruly guest to leave, who responded by punching him in the face, and then became confrontational with others in the lobby. He resisted arrest, but was quickly taken into custody and charged with assault,” VPD said in one tweet.

In another incident, the VPD says the concierge of a downtown residential building on Seymour was punched in the face after he approached a food delivery driver who had entered the lobby without wearing a mask and was told to put one on.

(CityNews Image)

#VPDscanner: #VPD investigating unprovoked assault on a man & women near Andy Livingston Park Monday. Couple was walking near Crosstown Elementary at 8:15 p.m. when suspect punched the man in the head. Suspect is a white man, 5’9, 28-25 yrs with shaved head and stocky build. pic.twitter.com/BVPqOdIurB

— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) February 22, 2022