2 injured in ‘violent’ stabbing downtown, suspect shot dead: Vancouver police
Posted Dec 4, 2024 1:17 pm.
Last Updated Dec 5, 2024 7:51 am.
The Vancouver Police Department says the man suspected of a stabbing downtown Wednesday morning died after being shot by police.
The VPD first reported that officers were responding to a “violent” incident in the downtown core around 11:30 a.m.
Staff from a restaurant near Robson and Hamilton streets called 911 to report that a man had allegedly stolen alcohol and was armed with a knife.
When officers arrived, they discovered the suspect inside a nearby 7-Eleven convenience store.
“The suspect was shot by police and taken into custody. VPD officers and other first responders administered first aid to the suspect, who was taken to hospital and later died,” said Const. Tania Visintin in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
While the VPD initially said “a number of people [had] been stabbed,” they later clarified that only one person was stabbed. Two victims, one who was stabbed in the hand, and another who suffered “facial injuries,” were taken to hospital.
“Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening,” said Visintin.
The location of Robson and Hamilton streets in downtown Vancouver. (CityNews Image)
In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) said it is seeking witnesses to the incident.
“After arriving, police located two people suffering from serious injuries nearby and a man, the affected person, reportedly carrying a weapon,” the IIO explained.
“There was an interaction between officers and the affected person, and he suffered a gunshot-related injury. First aid was provided, but the affected person was later pronounced dead.”
As a result, the IIO says it was notified right away and has begun an investigation.
Footage of the scene from the time of the incident shared with 1130 NewsRadio shows BC Emergency Health Services and firefighting crews centered around a 7-Eleven convenience store. Video shows first responders attending to victims, with at least one person on a stretcher receiving CPR.
A video shared by The Canadian Press shows police aiming their guns over the counter of a convenience store and firing at least 10 times. Police are heard on the video yelling, “move over” as several officers aim their weapons inside the 7-Eleven store.
Mainul Islam, a student and part-time delivery worker who captured the scene on video, says he was stopped by police from entering the store before witnessing the shooting of a man.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services told 1130 NewsRadio that its crews responded to a “medical” call around 11:38 a.m., however, it could not share any further information.
Any witnesses that have not already provided a statement, or who have other video footage of the incident, are asked to contact the IIO at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.
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With files from The Canadian Press.
