Suspect tries to grab Vancouver police officer's gun in DTES random attack
Vancouver police say one of their officers was randomly assaulted in the Downtown Eastside Thursday, and the suspect tried to grab the officer’s gun out of its holster.
The officer was responding to a different call in the 400 block of Main Street when a man approached and attempted to get the gun, Const. Tania Visintin told Daily Hive.
The officer was able to fight off the suspect, and he was caught and arrested after a brief chase on foot.
“Even after 34+ years of policing, this still shocks me,” Chief Adam Palmer said of the incident.
A suspect randomly attacked one of our #VPD officers in the #DTES today & tried to grab the firearm out of the officer’s holster – even after 34+ yrs of policing this still shocks me. Our officer performed heroically & apprehended the suspect @VancouverPD pic.twitter.com/ug23btEqnq
— Adam Palmer (@ChiefPalmer) April 8, 2022
The police officer wasn’t hurt in the altercation.
Elijah Otwey is facing charges of disarming a peace officer and assaulting a peace officer in connection with the incident.
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Stranger assaults have become a disturbing trend during the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2021, Vancouver police said approximately four people per day are randomly attacked in the city.
Anyone who is the victim of an assault or who witnesses one is asked to call 911.