A 27-year-old New Westminster man is facing a number of charges after an attack on three pedestrians on the Queensborough Bridge this weekend.
The incident happened at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Police say a man wielding a hammer attacked a 75-year-old pedestrian who was walking on the sidewalk on the Queensborough Bridge. Two passersby tried to intervene, but the suspect turned his hammer on them as well, according to police.
Queensborough Bridge/V.I.A. file photo
New Westminster Police were called to the scene and instructed the suspect to drop the weapon. He refused, and officers used a less-lethal weapon called an Arwen, which is a “distance weapon where a hard plastic round is projected from it in order to de-escalate a situation and gain compliance,” according to Sgt. Jeff Scott.
“The suspect continued to attack the victim, so another less lethal option (Taser) was deployed, which allowed for officers to run in and to take the suspect into custody,” noted a press release from police.
Lieto Nasitwitwi has been charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and assault. He remains in custody at this time, according to police.
The victims, who are all residents of New Westminster, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
“We are thankful that this was not worse than it was, which can be attributed to the people who helped stop the attack and the quick response of NWPD patrol officers,” Scott said in the release. “NWPD officers continue to speak with all involved as they continue their investigation of what occurred.”
