VPD investigates string of Downtown Eastside stabbings

Vancouver Police are investigating after four people were hospitalized in three separate stabbings on the Downtown Eastside yesterday.

The stabbings were among nine violent incidents VPD responded to in the neighborhood Wednesday.

"We’re reviewing evidence to determine if any of these incidents are connected," says Constable Tania Visintin. "We’re troubled by this level of violence, and we’re concerned it could escalate."

The first stabbing occurred Wednesday morning, just after 4:30 a.m. A 29-year-old man stumbled into a convenience store near Main and East Hastings streets bleeding from a large laceration on his face. Officers and paramedics responded, and the man was rushed to hospital with non-life threatening injures.

Hours later, around 1:30 p.m., VPD responded to a street fight near Main and Hastings streets. When officers arrived, they found one man suffering from a wound to his face, and another with head and torso injuries. Police are now trying to identify a five foot eight Indigenous man who was seen running north on Columbia Street. The man was wearing a grey and white hooded sweater, dark-coloured sweat pants, and a black baseball cap.

Finally, around 6 p.m. yesterday, VPD officers were called to an apartment building near East Cordova and Columbia streets, after a man posted on social media that he was bleeding to death from a stab wound. He was taken to hospital and is now expected to survive.

"All three investigations are still in the very early stages. The motives for these violent attacks are unknown at this time," adds Constable Visintin. "No arrests have been made, and we’re asking anyone with information to contact us."