Vancouver police officer slashed in Downtown Eastside attack
Posted March 5, 2025 6:35 am.
Last Updated March 9, 2025 7:12 pm.
The chief of the Vancouver Police Department says an officer was taken to hospital Tuesday night after being attacked while on patrol in the Downtown Eastside.
Chief Const. Adam Palmer took to X, saying that just after 7 p.m., the officer was “randomly attacked by a suspect armed with an edged weapon — slashing our officer several times.”
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!The police officer was taken to hospital and treated for their injuries, Palmer adds.
The suspect was arrested, Palmer says, and allegedly has a history of violence.
1130 NewsRadio has learned that the victim, along with his colleague, were walking the beat along East Hastings Street between Carrall and Columbia streets when they were rushed from behind.
The victim was stabbed multiple times in the legs, as according to the source, the suspect knows police officers wear protective vests.
The injured officer required a tourniquet as the bleeding was so severe. He was transferred to hospital where he received “excellent care” and is now recovering at home.
The VPD’s Major Crimes Unit has now taken over the investigation.
“Random senseless violence is intolerable & certain people need to be incarcerated – full stop,” Palmer said.
In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says he is “deeply disturbed by the violent, unprovoked attack on a Vancouver Police officer last night in the Downtown Eastside.”
“Violence against those who protect our city is unacceptable — full stop. My thoughts are with the injured officer, their family, and the VPD,” he added.
Sim says the incident is “why” public safety is his top priority.
“Through Task Force Barrage, we are targeting predatory criminals, disrupting organized crime, and putting more officers on the ground. We are taking action to make our streets safer,” he stated.
“I want to commend the VPD officers who acted swiftly to arrest the suspect. But let’s be clear—repeat violent offenders continue to put our communities at risk. We need real consequences and real accountability. Vancouver is an incredible city, but we cannot and will not accept this as the status quo.”
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Garry Begg tells 1130 that law enforcement officers put themselves on the line every day to keep communities safe.
“Everyone has the right to go to work knowing they will go home unharmed at the end of the day, and my thoughts are with this officer,” Begg stated.
In an update Wednesday afternoon, police say the officer has been released from hospital and is recovering at home.
Police identify manslaughter convict as suspect in officer attack
The Vancouver Police Department says 29-year-old Solaris Onatta Running Dey has been charged with aggravated assault of a police officer with a weapon after Tuesday’s events.
Police say the suspect in the attack on an officer ran, but was located and arrested minutes later near East Cordova Street and Main Street.
In 2020, Dey was found guilty of manslaughter after the death of his girlfriend in Richmond in 2018.
Shortly after midnight on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, Aspen Pallot, 19, was found dead inside their shared home on Westminster Highway near Gilbert Road. Dey was arrested a short time after.
Since that time, Dey has been charged with several counts of breaching his probation orders, found guilty of mischief in Surrey, and found guilty of assaulting a peace officer in New Westminster.
The VPD says Dey remains in custody until his next court appearance on March 19.
