The video shows three men attacking a man as he leaves a store, quickly overwhelming the victim with punches and kicks, while two women watch from a short distance away. After the attack, men and women were seen running away together, leaving the victim injured on the side of the road.
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Vancouver police held a press conference Saturday about the attack. “We are investigating this attack as a hate crime,” said Const. Tania Visintin, Vancouver police officer. Story continues below ad “This occurred during Vancouver Pride Week and the suspects allegedly made some homophobic threats to the victim during the attack.” Vancouver police said several people witnessed the incident and investigators are looking to speak with those witnesses. “We need people who stopped and watched to come forward,” Visintin said.
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Police said the victim suffered minor injuries and is recovering. “Anytime there’s an unproven attack random in nature with what we believe includes an element of hate… to be attacked for who you are, what you look like, what you believe… I can’t imagine what the victim is going through. His physical injuries may be minor, but there’s a lot of emotional trauma that comes with that,” Visintin said. “This is another disturbing attack that appears to have occurred without provocation.”
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Police said the attack took place outside a convenience store near Commercial Drive and 10 Ave. in the early hours of July 31st. Story continues below ad “Just after midnight, a 42-year-old man stopped to buy a slurpee after celebrating Pride Week events downtown,” Visintin said. “There was a brief verbal altercation between the man and another person waiting in line and when the victim left the store he was jumped by three men.” Police say the suspects are three men who appear to be in their 20s. A man was wearing a black t-shirt and black pants, with back shoes that had orange markings. The other two men wore white T-shirts and dark shorts, with white shoes. Anyone with possible information about the attack or the suspects is asked to contact Vancouver police at 604-717-9209. 2:09Man shaken by random pepper spray attack on kits Man shaken by random pepper spray attack on kits – August 1, 2022 Related News © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
