Two people are in hospital with life-threatening injuries after a violent confrontation in the Fairview neighbourhood, Vancouver Police say.
Several people called 9-1-1 around 7:30 p.m. on Monday (July 12) to report that a man was attacking another man outside of an apartment building near Spruce Street and West 12th.
“One suspect had a sword and had reportedly crawled through the window of a ground-level apartment," said VPD spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison.
VPD officers responded to the scene immediately and the 29-year-old suspect tried to run away from police, according to a VPD media release. As he tried to run away, the suspect jumped in front of an occupied vehicle and smashed the windshield and then continued running through traffic.
“Our officers believed the suspect had committed a violent assault and was trying to harm himself,” Addison explained. “When he refused police commands to stop, officers deployed a taser and beanbag shotgun rounds to stop the suspect and safely take him into custody.”
Vancouver assault under investigation
VPD officers provided emergency first aid to the suspect, who suffered life-threatening injuries during the initial altercation, prior to police arrival. Investigators are working to determine how those injuries occurred.
The suspect and the victim, a 59-year-old, were both taken to hospital. They are known to each other.
The incident is still under investigation and no charges have been laid. The Independent Investigations Office of BC was notified but is not investigating.
