Vancouver co-op resident advocates for neighbours' safety after violent offender released

A Vancouver resident who started a petition voicing concerns over a violent offender being released is speaking out about why she continues to advocate for her community’s safety.

Jazmine* told Daily Hive that she has been living in her South Vancouver co-op since 2021.

A few weeks ago, she said an email from her co-op informed residents that 34-year-old Peterhans Nungu would be living under house arrest conditions in their residence, following his release.

“I was shocked this would be allowed,” she said.

Nungu was accused of brutally attacking a female tourist on the seawall in April.

According to a previous news release from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), Nungu has been charged with assault causing bodily harm in the April 15 assault of a woman who was visiting Vancouver.

The victim released a series of TikTok videos about the attack, providing details about what happened.

VPD noted that Nungu was granted bail and released from police custody by a Provincial Court judge on April 23 and was transferred to a secure medical facility, where he remained under medical supervision. He was released from the hospital on May 20, and VPD said he would be living under house arrest in Vancouver, and bound by several bail conditions.

Residents are worried

Jazmine said that Nungu would be residing with his mother, a resident of the co-op.

“Our co-op has strict entry requirements. We were subject to background checks and an interview when being considered to live here,” she explained, adding that the building is family-friendly, with a children’s park on the premises.

Jazmine said that Nungu’s mother faces several health challenges and “requires ongoing medical care herself.”

“Several residents and I have serious concerns about whether she would be able to manage the situation effectively, especially if he were to not take his psychiatric medication and become violent again,” she said.

Upon hearing the news of Nungu’s release and living situation, Jazmine started an online petition on Change.org, hoping to bring the matter to the attention of local officials, law enforcement, and housing authorities.

“I had several discussions with other residents about solutions and ways we could advocate for this alleged violent offender not to be relocated here. I saw this petition as a way to spread the word and bring awareness to this situation,” she explained.

Jazmine said her neighbours and fellow residents have expressed their worries about Nungu and are on “high alert.”

“I’ve… spoken to other residents living on the same floor as the accused’s mother, and they have expressed feelings of anxiety and now make it a point to check the peephole before leaving their apartments,” she said.

Daily Hive reached out to Jazmine’s co-op for a statement but did not receive a response before publication time.

Officials respond to violent offender release

Jazmine said that she personally reached out to the Vancouver Police Department prior to Nungu’s release, and they notified her that a public advisory would be published.

The VPD issued a notice regarding the matter on May 20.

#VPDNews: A man accused of attacking a tourist on Vancouver’s seawall last month has been released from a secure medical facility and ordered to live in Vancouver.

Peterhans Nungu, 34, is charged with assault causing bodily harm, in connection with the April 15 assault of a… pic.twitter.com/blwOkS0SIz

— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) May 20, 2025

She said she also spoke with her local MLA, George Chow, prior to Nungu’s release, and claimed that he said the residents’ concerns were “premature” since the offender was not out yet.

“However, he’s now been officially released, and I have not received any further correspondence from Mr. Chow,” she said.

Daily Hive reached out to Chow’s office and received a response from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

The ministry stated that “privacy laws prevent BC Corrections from confirming whether an individual is or was in custody or under community supervision.”

You might also like:
• Solving Vancouver's repeat offender problem is a work in progress
• How bail works in BC and why violent offenders might be released
• 'I understand': Attorney General responds to call for action on repeat offenders in Vancouver

Moreover, the ministry stated that there is no legal authority for the province or any other law enforcement agency or public body to inform individuals which community or residence they can or cannot reside in when released on bail and/or after their sentence has been completed. Courts alone hold that authority.

“It is important to understand that court-ordered conditions can include a specific residence that the judge feels is most appropriate,” added the ministry.

“Residence-related conditions are often assigned to support access to family and/or other supports and/or to support compliance with other court-ordered conditions.”

It added that BC Corrections works closely with local law enforcement officials ahead of the release of individuals.

“Ongoing arrangements can include coordinated supervision strategies, such as home visits, monitoring curfews and other methods, to ensure individuals are meeting their court-ordered conditions.”

In its May 20 news release, the VPD confirmed that officers within the Operations Division and Special Investigation Section will monitor Nungu during his release for compliance with all court conditions.

“Total disregard for public safety”

Jazmine said Nungu’s case speaks to the larger issue of repeat offenders being released from custody.

“There seems to be a total disregard for public safety,” she stated.

“There is an ongoing trend of offenders with mental health issues being repeatedly released soon after committing violent acts, which poses a significant danger to the public.”

Court records show that someone with the same name as Nungu also has an additional charge in Surrey, including assaulting a peace officer, uttering threats and uttering threats to burn, destroy or damage. Those charges were laid just two days before the charges in Vancouver against the Toronto TikTok user.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim spoke out about Nungu in May, calling for more “concrete action” from the provincial and federal governments.

“Law enforcement agencies have done their job in identifying suspects and making arrests, but the judicial system is repeatedly letting victims down by allowing those with a high risk to offend back into the public,” stated Sim.

“The public deserves an answer from Attorney General Niki Sharma on why this continues to happen.”

Daily Hive recently had a one-on-one chat with Sharma about how the province was responding to repeat violent offenders and other criminal offences being committed by people who are suffering from mental health issues.

Sharma claimed the province had stepped up “in a number of ways,” highlighting the repeat violent offender program and investments into mental health sports.

She also mentioned that the province had requested changes to the federal bail policy, adding that B.C. had led the way and encouraged other provinces to follow suit. We published an explainer on some of those changes earlier this year.

But for Vancouver residents like Jazmine, the changes are yet to be seen, and she and her fellow residents remain uneasy about their own safety.

“It’s dangerous and it highlights the need for some systematic changes such as bail reform,” she said.

“The City of Vancouver is still grappling with the aftermath of the Lapu Lapu festival, and over the last two months, there has been several other viral incidents involving offenders with known mental health challenges reoffending and being returned to the public.”

*Last name has been withheld due to privacy. 

With files from Amir Ali