Vancouver Police seek witnesses to unprovoked assault downtown

VPD File # 24-208959

Vancouver – Vancouver Police have released video showing a random and unprovoked assault downtown, and ask witnesses or anyone who can identify the suspect to call police immediately.

“This was a completely unprovoked and violent sucker-punch on a total stranger,” says Sergeant Steve Addison. “Given this level of random violence, we have serious concerns that another innocent person could be assaulted and badly injured by this suspect. It’s imperative that we work quickly to gather all evidence from eyewitnesses and take this person into custody as soon as possible.”

The 28-year-old victim was walking alone on West Georgia Street, in front the Hudson’s Bay, at 10:04 p.m. on November 28, when a stranger lunged at him for no apparent reason, struck him in the face, and knocked him to the ground. The victim sustained facial injuries, but did not require hospitalization.

The suspect, a man who appears to be in his 20s and was wearing dark pants with a checkered shirt, ran toward Granville Street immediately after the assault.

The attack occurred close to a bus stop near West Georgia and Seymour Street, with more than a dozen people standing nearby. Several bystanders assisted the victim after he was knocked to the ground, while others flagged down VPD officers.

Some witnesses left prior to speaking with police.

“As our investigation continues, we’d like to speak to anyone who was present in the moments prior to the assault, as well as those who helped the victim after he was attacked,” adds Sergeant Addison. “These eyewitnesses may have important information about the suspect’s behaviour and state of mind at the time of the assault.”

Witnesses, and anyone who can identify the suspect, are asked to call the Vancouver Police Department at 604-717-4022.