Vancouver police are urging anyone who may know the identities of people caught on camera taking part in what is described as a "violent swarming" incident that took place recently in a city park.
The Vancouver Police Department released footage Friday (Feb. 25) that was shot by a bystander that shows the assault, which took place at about 11:30 p.m. the night of Feb. 20 in Emery Barnes Park in Yaletown.
The incident involves two men punching and kicking a male victim, as several people look on.
“This graphic bystander video shows a large group watching and filming as two men punched and kicked a defenseless man in Emery Barnes Park,” says Constable Tania Visintin.
However, by the time police arrived on scene, the suspects and victims had fled.
Police were able to locate and arrest one suspect, a 19-year-old Richmond man, who was found nearby on Granville St.
Later, the VPD located the victim, a 44-year-old Vancouver man, at his home, after someone called 911 on his behalf.
The victim sustained significant facial injuries that required hospitalization, say police.
The second suspect, however, remains unknown and at large, prompting the VPD to release the disturbing footage in hopes he can be identified and located.
“While this video is troubling to watch, we have had considerable success in identifying suspects in stranger attacks, and we hope that by releasing this video someone will come forward with information that can help us identify the people responsible," adds Visintin.
Emery Barnes Park "is surrounded by high-rise towers and its part of a heavily populated area,” nostes Visintin. “There must be people who either saw this swarming, were there when it happened, or recognize the people in the video. We’re asking those people to do the right thing and come forward.”
The unidentified suspect is described by police as a man in his twenties, about five feet nine inches tall, and 160 pounds. He was wearing a red hoodie, black pants, black running shoes, and was carrying a black satchel.
If anyone recognizes the suspect, or has any information, they are asked to call Vancouver police at 604-717-2541.
