Man charged after "random and unprovoked" stabbing in East Vancouver

A 33-year-old Vancouver man is facing charges in connection with what police called a “random and unprovoked attack” that ended in a stabbing earlier this fall.

According to VPD, charges have been approved against Brent Courtney for assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon.

The charges come following the incident on September 27, when the victim “was walking near East Pender Street and Woodland Drive when Courtney came up to him and stabbed him in the back,” said VPD Const. Tania Visintin. “The victim was taken to hospital for life-threatening injuries at the time.”

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Visintin said the two men did not previously know each other and that the victim was homeless.

“Our patrol officers worked with experts from our investigative section to put forward the best package to Crown in order to take this suspect off the streets,” she said.

Courtney is due back in court next month.