Man arrested after ‘unprovoked’ random downtown Vancouver attack

West Pender Street in Vancouver, B.C. (CityNews Image)

By Charlie Carey

Posted May 20, 2025 12:20 pm.

Police in Vancouver say a man has been arrested and charged after what they say was a “random and unprovoked assault” of a senior last week.

The Vancouver Police Department says a 70-year-old man was walking near Homer and West Pender streets around 3 p.m. last Friday when a stranger allegedly knocked him to the ground, and he hit his head.

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“The suspect walked away without offering assistance to the injured victim, who required treatment in hospital,” police said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The VPD investigation led to the arrest of a suspect, who was taken into custody later the same day on Granville Street.”

A 40-year-old remains in custody awaiting his next court appearance after being charged with assault causing bodily harm.

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