‘Unprovoked stranger attacks’ leave 1 dead, 1 seriously hurt in downtown Vancouver

Vancouver police have arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal stabbing of one man and the severing of another man's hand in two unprovoked stranger attacks in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday morning.

"This appears to be a very troubled man with a long history of mental health-related incidents, resulting in more than 60 documented contacts with police across Metro Vancouver," said Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer during a press conference on Wednesday.

The suspect, who has a prior conviction for assault and assault causing bodily harm, was on probation at the time of his arrest for an assault in 2023.

The first victim, a man in his 50s, was attacked near Cathedral Square at Richards and Dunsmuir streets around 7:30 a.m. Police said he was stabbed and found with his hand "completely severed" and bleeding from his head. He was rushed to the hospital and is expected to survive.

Minutes later, police responded to another call at West Georgia and Hamilton streets, where a second man was attacked and died at the scene.

Investigators linked the two attacks after obtaining images of the suspect. Officers arrested the 34-year-old man from White Rock on Habitat Island near the Olympic Village around 9 a.m., where he had been acting erratically and yelling at a stranger. The Vancouver Police Emergency Response Team and a police drone operator assisted in his arrest.

Despite the severity of the attacks, Palmer reassured the public that Vancouver remains safe, describing the incidents as rare. "Vancouver is not dying, Vancouver is not dead, Vancouver is not unsafe. That’s all hyperbole," he said, emphasizing that violent crime occurs in every major city.

Palmer noted that crime rates in Vancouver have decreased, with overall crime down 7.4%, violent crime down 7%, property crime down 10.3%, and serious assaults down 17.8%. Stranger attacks, he said, have been reduced by about half. Since 2022, over 175 new officers have been hired, and police presence has increased throughout the city.

However, Palmer stressed the need for more support in dealing with individuals with severe mental health issues and repeat offenders. "We’ve got to stop the revolving door of justice … We need more people to be held in custody for serious crimes," he added, referencing the suspect's previous charges, which had been stayed in an earlier violent crime case.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim called on the provincial and federal governments for additional funding to address the underlying causes of violent crime, such as mental health issues. "Cities don’t have the resources to tackle this problem," Sim said, expressing frustration with the ongoing situation. "If we don’t pivot, expect to see more press conferences like this."

Premier David Eby said the government would review the incident to determine what could have been done differently. He acknowledged the province's efforts to address repeat violent offenders but recognized the devastating impact of the attacks. Eby also hinted at forthcoming policy proposals aimed at providing more assertive care for individuals struggling with serious mental health and addiction issues.

The suspect, who has not been formally charged, remains in Vancouver police custody. Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the attacks or has additional information to contact Vancouver police at 604-717-2500.