This is the horrific moment an innocent stranger was struck by a violent blow in a ‘completely unprovoked’ attack in Vancouver.
Harrowing video shows how the 28-year-old victim was attacked as he walked down a busy street near Hudson’s Bay department store last Thursday.
In a split second, a figure crouched on the sidewalk jumps out and strikes them with its left arm outstretched, knocking them to the ground before darting away.
As the attacker runs away, bystanders are left confused and watch as the victim pulls himself to his feet.
The victim suffered facial injuries from the attack and police say they were walking alone on W. Georgia Street when the instigator struck.
Authorities are now appealing for information and witnesses after what they say was a ‘completely unprovoked and violent blow on a total stranger’.
Images shared by the police show the man rushing towards the victim in a busy area
From another angle, the victim is seen lying flat on his back after the brutal attack
Images showed the victim lying on the ground while bystanders checked on him
The 28-year-old victim was walking alone when the attacker struck late on November 28
According to police, the attack appeared completely unprovoked
Vancouver police shared disturbing footage of the attack, which occurred on November 28 at 10:04 p.m.
The victim was “walking alone” near Hudson’s Bay when a stranger “lashed out at him for no apparent reason, punching him in the face and knocking him to the ground.”
Police confirm that despite the injuries, the victim did not need to go to hospital.
The attack happened near a bus stop near West Georgia and Seymour Street, with more than a dozen people nearby, police said.
Several bystanders helped the victim after he was knocked to the ground, while others flagged down VPD officers.
But some left before speaking to police, leading to calls for more witnesses to come forward.
Sergeant Steve Addison said in a statement on Tuesday: ‘Given this level of indiscriminate violence, we are deeply concerned that another innocent person could be attacked and seriously injured by this suspect.
“It is imperative that we work quickly to collect all eyewitness evidence and bring this person into custody as quickly as possible.”
The suspect, a man who appeared to be in his 20s and was wearing dark pants with a plaid shirt, ran toward Granville Street immediately after the assault, police said.
“As our investigation continues, we would like to speak to anyone who was present in the moments leading up to the attack, as well as those who helped the victim after he was attacked,” Sergeant Addison added.
“These eyewitnesses may have important information about the suspect’s behavior and state of mind at the time of the assault.”
Witnesses and anyone who can identify the suspect are asked to call Vancouver police at 604-717-4022.
A report on crime statistics for Vancouver shows that violent crime increased by 1.9 per cent between 2022 and 2023.
As many as 6,256 cases were registered in 2023, compared to 6,140 in 2022.
Increased reporting of crime does not necessarily indicate higher prevalence.