VPD makes arrest after meal-delivery worker attacked by stranger

Vancouver Police have made an arrest in a violent and unprovoked stabbing that left a meal-delivery worker with life-threatening injuries Sunday night.

The victim, a 22-year-old newcomer to Canada who was working for a meal-delivery service, was locking his bike to a street pole in Chinatown around 6 p.m. last night when he was approached from behind and attacked by someone he didn’t know.

"The victim suffered a number of stab wounds, including injuries to his chest and throat," said Sergeant Steve Addison of the attack, which occurred near Gore Avenue and East Pender Street. "Despite grave injuries, he was able to call 9-1-1 for help, and several witnesses provided first aid until police arrived. His injuries were life-threatening, but we now expect him to pull through."

Vancouver Police are crediting a number of bystanders who not only came to the victim’s aid, but also called 9-1-1 and provided police officers with key information that led to the quick arrest of the suspect, who was taken into custody in Crab Park shortly after the attack.

"Public safety is a shared responsibility, and we always encourage people to call police immediately if they see a crime in progress or a person in danger," adds Sergeant Addison. "We commend the bystanders who comforted the injured victim after the attack, and others who provided eyewitness information that led to the quick arrest of a violent offender."

Vancouver Police have asked the courts to remand the 43-year-old suspect due to the violent nature of the offence.