Vancouver Police are asking anyone with information to come forward after a series of Downtown Eastside stabbings sent three men to hospital overnight.
Just after 1 p.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 5), VPD officers responded to a report of a stabbing in a social housing complex near Powell St and Dunlevy Ave; the man had reportedly been stabbed in the back and was suffering a life-threatening injury, explains a news release. The victim was then taken to hospital and is now expected to survive.
Following the incident, police tracked the 27-year-old stabbing suspect to a room inside the building, "and after learning that he’d consumed a large amount of fentanyl, officers broke down the door and found the suspect unresponsive due to a drug overdose."
Police officers used naloxone to bring the man back to consciousness, and he was taken to hospital for further treatment. The VPD says charges are expected.
Around 1:15 a.m. later that night, officers responded to another stabbing report near East Hastings and Columbia streets; a 55-year-old man was stabbed in the neck, face, and shoulder. He was taken to hospital and is in stable condition. The suspect is still outstanding and the file is still under investigation.
Finally, just before 2:30 a.m., a 28-year-old man "was stabbed in his arm, ribs, and buttock near Water and Carrall streets." He was also taken to the hospital for serious injuries. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
“We are still reviewing evidence to determine if these three incidents are connected,” says Constable Tania Visintin, VPD. “As disturbing it is to know that these serious crimes occurred back to back, we do not believe there is any threat to the public at this time.
“All three investigations are still in the very early stages. The motives for these violent attacks are unknown at this time."
Anyone with information pertaining to the stabbings is asked to call Vancouver Police.
