Vancouver police investigating string of violent stranger attacks in Fairview

Police in Vancouver are investigating three separate stranger attacks that happened over a couple hours on Thursday night in the Fairview neighbourhood.

“Three violent attacks happened in close proximity to each other within a short time-frame,” says Cst. Tania Visintin with the VPD. “At this time, investigators are trying to determine if any of the assaults are related.”

The first attack happened at 6:30 p.m. near the False Creek seawall, right under the Cambie Street Bridge.  Police say a 70-year-old man was tackled from behind, punched, and kicked by an unknown man.

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Police add 45 minutes later, a 33-year-old woman walking her dog near West 11 Avenue and Spruce Street was attacked from behind and punched in the face.

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The third attack happened at 8:45 p.m. when a 23-year-old woman was stabbed while walking near West Broadway and Alder Street. The woman suffered non-life threatening injuries.

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Related links:

• ‘I was traumatized’: Vancouver security guard speaks out after attack in Chinatown

• Man charged with assault after stranger attack in Strathcona

“Incidents like these leave victims with physical and emotional scars, but they also cause fear and anxiety throughout the community,” said Visintin.

“We’ve had investigators working on these cases since they happened to collect evidence that will lead to the person or people responsible, and we will share additional information about these incidents as the investigations continue.”

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Visintin says that the VPD will start more patrols in the areas after the attacks.

“We will have officers flooding the area and in days and weeks to come to create more of a presence to ease the community,” she said.

If anyone witnessed one of these incidents or has any information, they are asked to call VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604-717-2541.