GoFundMe for Chinatown stabbing victims exceeds goal

A GoFundMe set up to aid with medical expenses for the victims of the Chinatown stabbing has exceeded its fundraising goal.

Carol Lee, chair of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, says she’s pleased with the outcome of the GoFundMe her organization put together to raise money for the three people who were stabbed at the 2023 ‘Light Up Chinatown!’ event.

“We are extremely grateful for the support the community showed,” Lee said. “It was devastating after the attack because it was a terrible way to end a fantastic two-day weekend festival.”

On Sept. 10, two people in their sixties and a woman in her twenties were stabbed at the corner of Keefer Street and Columbia Street. The Vancouver Police Department arrested 64-year-old Blair Evan Donnelly in the case. He’s been charged with three counts of aggravated assault.

Lee says the victims are still recovering from their injuries, and the money will help.

“The support is continued after the event to help the victims. We’ve actually exceeded the $15,000 goal,” Lee said.

With help from the Regency Auto dealership, which matched donations made, Lee says the total raised now sits at more than $30,000 dollars.

Izzam Ahamad, a member of Regency Auto’s board of directors, says instead of trying to help the foundation meet its $15,000 goal, the company decided to take it a step further and match the goal.

He says his car dealership had a booth at the festival.

“I was there with my family and my kids,” Ahamad said. “We had left half an hour before that.”

He says despite what happened, he hopes the public will continue to support community festivals like this.

“We have to continue to move forward and not let setbacks like this prevent us from enjoying a beautiful, vibrant Chinatown,” Ahamad said.

Lee says each of the three victims will now receive $10,000 each to be used for medical expenses or counselling needed to help process trauma.

She says one of the victims, who wants to remain anonymous, says the money will help them with living expenses because they haven’t been able to work since the incident.

“I think that $10,000 is very meaningful, due to the kind of support it can give you, but also the feeling you get knowing that people out there care for you,” Lee said.