Newcomer to Canada barely survives unprovoked stabbing in Vancouver Tim Hortons
The 25-year-old victim was waiting to order when he was stabbed repeatedly
A man who had just arrived in Canada barely survived when a stranger stabbed him repeatedly in the back while he waited in line at a downtown Vancouver Tim Hortons.
The 25-year-old victim was waiting to order at the coffee shop inside Harbour Centre at about 6:20 a.m. Saturday when a suspect stabbed him multiple times in the back and shoulder then ran out of the store.
The target of the unprovoked assault, who police say is a newcomer to Canada, was taken to hospital with life-threatening stab wounds. He is expected to survive.
Police are releasing video of the “disturbing incident,” which VPD Sgt. Steve Addison said “has all the hallmarks of a random attack that came completely without warning, and we’re increasingly worried about the public’s safety.
“We need anyone who witnessed this assault to come forward, and we urge anyone who recognizes the suspect to call police.”
Addison said police have no motive, “and the fact that it appears random and unprovoked is extremely concerning.” He said the victim and suspect did not know each other and didn’t have any interactions before the attack.
The attacker was a man in his 20s, about six-foot-two, with short black hair and a slim build. He was wearing a grey hoodie that had a black hood and sleeves, grey and black stone-washed jeans, and black running shoes with white soles. He also had a black and white face mask with a Crooks and Castles logo, and a black and grey backpack.
Addison noted the Saturday stabbing happened just three days after police released security video of another unprovoked attack, in which a 22-year-old woman was assaulted outside Hotel Georgia on New Year’s Eve.
He said that incident “re-ignited conversation about public safety in the downtown core, in light of data that shows, on average, more than four people a day are
victimized in unprovoked stranger assaults .”
Addison said police are aware the attacks “cause significant anxiety and trepidation in the community. However, it’s important that we talk about them so we can solve these crimes and people can make informed decisions about their personal safety.”
Anyone with information on Saturday’s coffee-shop stabbing is asked to contact the VPD major crime section at 604-717-2541.