Paramedic attacked by stranger in downtown Vancouver while on duty
The latest stranger attack in downtown Vancouver left a paramedic injured and a man arrested following the alleged assault.
According to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), a paramedic was assisting a patient near West Hastings and Abbott streets on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at around 10:30 a.m.
An unknown man allegedly approached to ask for water when they quickly became violent.
Margarita Young/Shutterstock
- You might also like:
- Woman killed in second Vancouver pedestrian collision in 72 hours
- 'Unimaginable tragedy': B.C. mother and daughter killed in suspected grizzly bear attack
- Over $200K raised for B.C. couple injured in 'catastrophic' car accident
“The paramedic was tending to the patient when the suspect allegedly struck him on the head before fleeing the area,” explained the VPD in a release.
“The paramedic suffered minor injuries.”
Officers were called to the scene and were able to locate and arrest the 27-year-old suspect one block away. VPD added that assault charges are being recommended in the incident.
This is the second stranger attack incident in downtown Vancouver in less than a week.
Police are asking for the public’s help in tracking down the person responsible for a daytime stranger attack outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Friday, Oct. 30.
Near where the incident occurred. (Google Maps)
According to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), a 27-year-old woman was walking in front of the 800 block of West Georgia Street last Friday at around 10:30 a.m.
An unknown man allegedly kicked her in the upper arm and punched her in the upper body without provocation or warning.
“Several concerned bystanders intervened to stop the attack, causing the suspect to flee westbound on West Georgia Street,” explained the VPD in a release. “Fortunately, the victim did not suffer physical injuries.”
“Investigators are asking for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage to come forward to help identify the suspect.”
Two weeks ago, two tourists were also allegedly assaulted by a 34-year-old man when they were walking back from a Bruno Mars concert.
Google Maps
On Oct. 21 at around 11 p.m., VPD officers who were on a routine patrol witnessed the altercation between the suspect and two people near Abbott and West Cordova streets.
Police say that the two victims were tourists from Calgary, and that while walking back from the concert, the suspect “allegedly punched the male victim on the arm with a sharp object.” VPD believes that the sharp object was glass.
The suspect in that case, 34-year-old Derek Dale Driscoll, has since been arrested.