Vancouver Police are looking for a 40-50-year-old man following a machete attack outside a Downtown Eastside hotel last month.
On June 19 around 7 p.m., a 49-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman were approached from behind and allegedly slashed with a machete while loading their luggage into a taxi near Main and East Hastings.
Multiple witnesses flagged down police and both victims were rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“We don’t know if there was a motive for this attack,” says VPD Constable Tania Visintin. “Investigators believe it was completely random and unprovoked."
Investigators obtained surveillance video from nearby businesses this week that captures an image of the suspect and VPD is asking anyone with information to contact them.
“Given the time of day and the location of this incident, we believe there were witnesses who have not yet come forward. We also believe that people will recognize the suspect and can help us identify him.”
Police have released photos and videos of the suspect and report that he is 5’10 tall and was wearing a black long sleeve shirt, grey pants, and black sneakers at the time of the incident. He was also carrying an umbrella.
Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Major Crime Unit at 604-717-2541.
