VANCOUVER — A 23-year-old man has been charged with aggravated assault after a stabbing spree in Vancouver Friday night.
Police allege the suspect is responsible for four separate unprovoked attacks in the Downtown Eastside, where the victims were slashed with a knife.
Shortly before 8:30 p.m., police were called to the area of East Hastings and Princess Avenue after a 50-year-old man was allegedly approached from behind and slashed across the neck.
The suspect ran off and the victim was treated for minor physical injuries.
Ten minutes later a second attack happened to a 56-year-old man just blocks away near Keefer and Jackson Avenue. Police say he also suffered minor stab wounds.
The third incident happened shortly after 8:30 p.m. close to Jackson and Union Street when a woman in her 80s was slashed across the neck before her attacker ran off.
Witnesses helped her out before she was taken to hospital with what police believe to be non-life-threatening injuries.
The final assault was against a 24-year-old man at 8:50 p.m. along Keefer Street at Gore Avenue. The victim received facial injuries before fighting off the attacker who continued west towards Main Street.
Officers arrested the suspect less than five minutes after the last attack.
All of the victims are Vancouver residents and are expected to recover from their physical injuries. They are also receiving help for emotional distress.
Crown counsel has approved four counts of aggravated assault against Joshua David Manner, from Vancouver.
He remains in custody.
Anyone who may have information about these crimes, and has not yet spoken with police, is asked to call VPD Major Crime detectives at 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
