9.02°C Vancouver

Feb 28, 2022 8:32 PM - Connect News

VPD seeks witnesses, victims to violent attacks

Share On

Vancouver Police are appealing for victims and witnesses, after a 38-year-old man allegedly attacked at least five women and caused thousands of dollars in property damage during a 40-minute crime spree in Vancouver’s Fairview neighbourhood Saturday afternoon.

"Once again, these attacks appear completely unprovoked, and they must have been terrifying for everyone involved," says Constable Tania Visintin. "We believe there are more victims, and likely dozens of witnesses, who have information and cell phone video footage that can help the police investigation."

Vancouver Police began receiving 9-1-1 calls around noon on Saturday, reporting a man, possibly in psychosis, who was smashing glass and destroying property near Vancouver General Hospital, at Oak Street and West Broadway. The suspect allegedly approached a 40-year-old woman in her car, made shooting gestures, banged on the vehicle, and tried to open the car door. When she drove away, the suspect allegedly chased the vehicle down the street.

Thirty minutes later, the suspect allegedly chased joggers near the entrance of an apartment building. The joggers, who have not been identified, managed to seek refuge inside the building, but the suspect allegedly smashed the front door in an attempt to pursue them.

A woman who witnessed that incident was then accosted by the suspect, who allegedly cornered her and demanded her phone.

Moments later, the suspect approached a woman who was walking on Oak Street, and allegedly assaulted her by grabbing her by the hair and punching her. The 25-year-old woman broke free with the help of a bystander and fled to a building with a number of other frightened people, but the suspect allegedly pursed them through the hallways and stairwells of the building while threatening them and brandishing a large piece of broken glass. Police are looking for that bystander to come forward to assist with the investigation.

VPD officers responded from across the city and located the suspect outside a building near Oak Street and West 10th Avenue. He was arrested following a brief struggle and taken to hospital to get treatment for glass cuts, and because officers believed he was in psychosis. The man has since been taken to jail.

"Thankfully, nobody was physically injured during these frightening incidents, however VPD Victim Services staff are working with all of the victims to lend support and deal with the emotional trauma that will likely follow," adds Constable Visintin. "So far investigators have identified five victims, but we believe there are more victims, and dozens of witnesses, who fled in fear before VPD officers arrived."

Latest news

police-investigating-two-overnight-shootings-at-homes-in-surrey-and-delta
BCOct 27, 2025

Police investigating two overnight shootings at homes in Surrey and Delta

Police in Surrey and Delta are investigating two separate overnight shootings that targeted residential homes early Monday, with one believed to be linked to an ongoing extortion case. The Surrey Police Service said officers were called to a home near 124 Street shortly before 3 a.m. after reports of gunfire. When police arrived, they found the house damaged by bullets. Several people were inside at the time, but no injuries were reported. Investigators have not yet determined a motive for the shooting. Around the same time, Delta Police were called to a home on 78B Avenue after multiple shots
prime-minister-carney-to-meet-chinese-president-xi-amid-trade-tensions
CanadaOct 27, 2025

Prime Minister Carney to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping trade tensions

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea. It will be the first formal meeting between the two leaders in several years, signaling a possible step toward easing strained relations between Canada and China. Canadian provincial leaders and business groups have been pressing Ottawa to engage with Beijing to resolve ongoing trade disputes. China has placed heavy tariffs on Canadian canola, seafood, and other agricultural exports, retaliating against Canada’s duties on Ch
trump-imposes-extra-10-tariff-on-canadian-goods-after-ontario-anti-tariff-ad
CanadaOct 25, 2025

Trump Imposes Extra 10% Tariff on Canadian Goods After Ontario Anti-Tariff Ad

U.S. President Donald Trump says he is adding a 10 per cent surcharge on imports from Canada, citing frustration over an Ontario government advertisement that criticized American trade tariffs. The ad, which used a quote from former U.S. president Ronald Reagan, aired during the opening game of the World Series and called for fairer treatment of Canadian products. Trump announced the additional tariff on his social media platform Truth Social while en route to Malaysia aboard Air Force One. He said Ontario Premier Doug Ford should have removed the advertisement sooner, despite Ford’s commitm
two-vancouver-men-charged-after-cfseu-bc-investigation-targets-fentanyl-trafficking-network
BCOct 24, 2025

Two Vancouver men charged after CFSEU-BC investigation targets fentanyl trafficking network

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia says two Vancouver men are facing multiple drug trafficking charges after a months-long investigation that disrupted an organized network accused of distributing fentanyl and other illicit substances across the Lower Mainland. The investigation began in February 2024 after CFSEU-BC’s Anti-Trafficking Task Force identified a suspect believed to be supplying large amounts of fentanyl and other drugs through a coordinated network. On October 2, 2024, police executed search warrants at two homes in the region, seizing more than thr
man-found-not-criminally-responsible-in-2023-vancouver-chinatown-festival-stabbings
BCOct 24, 2025

Man found not criminally responsible in 2023 Vancouver Chinatown festival stabbings

A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled that a man who stabbed three people during a Vancouver Chinatown festival in 2023 is not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder. Justice Eric Gottardi delivered the decision Friday, saying the law does not convict people for acts committed while they are mentally ill. The ruling concerns 67-year-old Blair Donnelly, whose trial heard he believed he was acting under divine instruction when he carried out the attack last September. Court testimony showed Donnelly had asked the Holy Spirit for a sign not to proceed, but said he “wanted to obey God”

Related News