Vancouver police are investigating an unprovoked attack with a bear spray on adults in Chinatown on Friday morning, which they say was preceded by racist comments.
“All indications are that the incident was completely unprovoked and may have been fueled by anti-Asian hatred,” said a spokesman for the Vancouver Police Department. Tanya Visintin, in a news release on Saturday.
The VPD released images of the suspects taken by surveillance cameras in the area near Pender and Colombia streets where the attack took place.
Police said the victim, an 87-year-old resident of Chinatown, was on her morning walk when the attack took place around 11:40 p.m.
The victim was standing at a bus stop, “when a stranger approached him, made racist comments, and then sprayed him in the face with a bear,” according to the VPD.
Police have not yet identified the suspects and are asking the public for help.
“Given the time of day and the location of this incident, we believe there were witnesses who have not yet come out,” Visintin said. “We also believe that there will be people who recognize the suspect and can help us identify him.”
The VPD also said it was working to determine whether Friday’s attack was related to offensive graffiti that appeared at the red gates in front of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s classic Chinese garden, not far from where the attack took place.
“Graffiti – the word ‘shhh’ in white paint – has been interpreted by many in the community as a reaction to Chinatown residents, who are increasingly talking about crime and security concerns in their neighborhood,” police said.
There was a 300 percent increase in reported graffiti in Chinatown between 2019 and 2021, according to the VPD, as well as a 425 percent increase in reported anti-Asian hate incidents.
Police have increased patrols in the neighborhood and said they were “working closely with residents and businesses in the area” “to address community concerns”.
“People who live and work in Chinatown deserve to feel safe, valued and respected,” Visintin said. “Violent and unprovoked attacks, widespread graffiti and street riots are appalling, and these incidents continue to undermine people’s sense of security.
Police described the suspect in Friday’s attack as a man in his 30s who is about six feet tall. He was wearing a black jacket, dark trousers, a gray baseball cap, and gray shoes with red trim and white soles. He also carried a black backpack.
Anyone with information about the incident or identifying the suspect has been asked to call investigators at 604-717-4034, police said.
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