VPD releases images of suspect in racist Chinatown senior attack

The Vancouver Police have released a new picture, showing the face of a suspect who allegedly attacked a senior with bear spray in Chinatown on Friday.

According to police, the 87-year-old victim, a Chinatown resident, was out for his morning walk Friday when he was attacked around 11:40 a.m. Police say the victim was standing at the bus stop near Pender and Columbia streets when a stranger came up to him, made racist comments, and bear-sprayed him in the face.

Related stories:

• Senior attacked with bear spray in Chinatown, VPD investigate

• Victim of alleged random attack in Gastown calls for anti-Asian crime protection

The suspect fled immediately after the attack. Police say the victim was traumatized but has non-life-threatening injuries.

Police are looking for a man 30 to 40-year-old who is about 6 feet tall. He was wearing a black jacket, dark-coloured pants, a grey baseball cap, grey shoes with red trim and white soles and was carrying a black backpack.

Suspect in Chinatown senior attack. (Courtesy: VPD)

“Given the time of day and the location of this incident, we believe there were witnesses who have not yet come forward. We also believe there will be people who recognize the suspect and can help us identify him.”

VPD says between 2019 and 2021, there was a 300 per cent increase in reported graffiti incidents and a 425 per cent increase in anti-Asian hate crime incidents in Chinatown.

“People who live and work in Chinatown deserve to feel safe, valued, and respected,” added Cst. Visintin. “Violent and unprovoked attacks, rampant graffiti, and street disorder are appalling, and these incidents continue to erode peoples’ sense of safety.”

Anyone who has information or anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to call investigators at 604-717-4034.