The Vancouver Police Department says the attack on an 87-year-old resident of Chinatown on Friday morning appears to be racially motivated.
According to police, the adult was on a morning walk and was standing near a bus stop near the intersection of Pender Street and Columbia Street when a man came to him around 11:40 a.m. Friday.
It is alleged that the suspect made racist comments and sprayed the elder in the face with a bear. The suspect then fled while nearby officers and passers-by helped the victim, police said.
“[The victim] “There are indications that the incident was completely unprovoked and may have been fueled by anti-Asian hatred.”
The suspect in Friday’s attack is between 30 and 40 years old and is about six feet tall. He was wearing a black jacket, dark trousers, a gray baseball cap and gray shoes at the time of the incident. The suspect also carried a black backpack. (Vancouver Police Department)
Police said members of the community they spoke to about the investigation believe the attack may have been motivated by people talking about crime and security in Chinatown.
The VPD says there was a 425% jump in hate crimes against Asia between 2019 and 2021, and says the Hate Crimes Unit is now investigating the case.
The attacker was caught by video surveillance cameras, according to police, who are asking the public to help identify him.
It is described as between 30 and 40 years old and is about six feet or 1.8 meters high. He was wearing a black jacket, dark trousers, a gray baseball cap and gray shoes at the time of the incident. The suspect also carried a black backpack.
Anyone with information or anyone who identifies a suspect is asked to call the VPD at 604-717-4034.
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