Gastown assault footage released as VPD looks for witnesses, victims
Posted December 14, 2022 10:51 am.
Vancouver police are asking a group of people seen being assaulted by a man in Gastown last month to come forward.
The incident, caught on surveillance footage, came amid a series of “unprovoked attacks” in the neighbourhood.
In video released by the VPD on Dec. 14, a group is seen walking along a sidewalk when a man walking in the opposite direction leans over and appears to hit one of the people in the face. The suspect seems to be holding something in his hand.
“This assault appears to have occurred without provocation,” said Const. Tania Visintin Dec. 14. “We are asking the people in this video to come forward, as not only are they victims of a crime, but they could have important information on the circumstances that led up to the assaults.”
The VPD previously reported that several people called 9-1-1 on Nov. 28, saying a man slapped a woman, assaulted a cyclist, and tried to attack someone walking in a group outside a Nester’s Market. The suspect is also said to have tried to start a fight in the area, where he took out a weapon. He was shot by police after a confrontation with VPD and Transit Police officers.
The suspect was taken to the hospital and the Independent Investigations Office was called in.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the VPD at 604.717.2541.
