Police are sharing some details of what sounds like a violent stranger attack that took place in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
According to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), one suspect has been arrested in connection with a report of an alleged unprovoked attack that occurred on Wednesday morning.
VPD says that the victim, a woman, was walking to work near Robson and Homer streets just after 9 a.m. when “she was assaulted by a stranger.”
VPD added that the woman was allegedly choked, bitten on the face and hand, and pulled to the ground. Police said that following the attack, the suspect left the area. The suspect was quickly located by police just a block away from where the attack occurred.
The suspect is also a woman.
VPD Constable Megan Lui said that the suspect and victim did not know each other, and again reiterated that the attack was unprovoked.
“The motive is unknown at this time,” Lui said.
While the extent of the victim’s injuries is not known, VPD said that she was transported to the hospital for “further medical treatment.”
VPD has also named a suspect in connection with the alleged attack.
#VPDNews: A suspect has been arrested by Vancouver Police and charged following a report of an unprovoked attack on a woman in the downtown core Wednesday morning.
The victim was reportedly walking to work near Robson Street and Homer Street shortly before 9:15 a.m. when she was… pic.twitter.com/RJOob0KDV1
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) July 30, 2026
The B.C. Prosecution Service has charged a 34-year-old named Jayleen McKay with one count of assault causing bodily harm and another count of assault by choking.
McKay is still in custody.
The area the victim was attacked in is right next to the Central Library and is a busy area for tourists, with many restaurants. There’s also a Vancouver information centre which many visitors go to, to ask questions about the city and for directions.