Assault caught on camera
The horrific scene played out at 7 p.m. last April 5 in a parking lot area behind a business the women work at in East Vancouver. They did not know the man, seen in a surveillance video approaching the two. He spoke one word to them and that word may have been “coin” but the women could not be sure what he said.
One of the women said ‘pardon’ and the man repeated the word as he removed his hands from his pocket and flew at one of the women, punching her viciously in the face and head. He has her against a wall and when she falls to the ground he gets over her and punches her again and again.
He then sprints off and, when passing the other woman, who had run over to the rear of a nearby car, while still running, he swings a hard punch at her head, connecting. The man then runs away and is soon off-camera.
Police seek help
Both women, 46 and 54, were badly hurt and taken to hospital for treatment; one sustained a broken orbital bone. Police have not released the exact location of the business.
“The video appears to show the women may have been targeted, but the motive isn’t yet known. He does look pretty focused on them,” VPD Const. Jason Doucette told media at a press conference.
“The women do not know the person in that video,” he added. “Hopefully someone looks at this video and recognizes this person and gives us a call.”
The man is solidly built, black and may have a slight beard or goatee. He is wearing blue sweat pants, a grey-shirt, white hoodie, white baseball hat and his gloves may be the kind worn when working out in the gym.
Police are asking anyone who feels they may know who the man is to call them at 604-717-9189 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
