A violent and unprovoked attack on a homeless man was captured on video last month and the Vancouver Police Department has just released the footage in the hopes of identifying the suspect.
The attack took place around 1 a.m. on July 26, on Hamilton Street in Yaletown, according to a VPD media release. The video shows a man in his 20s arguing for several minutes with a group of people, who he appears to know. When a homeless man walked by the group, the suspect swatted him in the head, chased him down the sidewalk, pushed him to the ground, and repeatedly kicked him.
“This must have been terrifying for the victim, who is already vulnerable and did not deserve to be treated this way,” says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. “We owe it to him to solve this crime and we’re asking anyone with information to give us a call.”
The suspect may wear glasses and has an above-average build and a medium skin tone according to the VPD’s description. He was last seen walking away from the crime scene in the company of other men.
“We’d like everyone to take a good look at these images,” adds Addison. “We’re confident someone knows these people and can help us solve this crime.”
Anyone who can identify the suspect or the people he was with is asked to call a tip line at 604-717-4022.
