A Vancouver Police investigation has led to a criminal charge after a woman was stabbed with a hypodermic needle while walking in the Downtown Eastside last month.

BC Prosecution Service on Monday approved one count of aggravated assault against Cathleen Cunningham, 35, in relation to the incident, which occurred near Abbott and West Pender streets on October 27.

“All signs point to this being a random and unprovoked assault on a victim who did nothing wrong,” said Sgt. Steve Addison last month. “Fortunately, the victim quickly called police and we were able to identify a suspect.”

The incident happened around 5:30 p.m. on October 27, as the 23-year-old victim was leaving a coffee shop near Main and East Pender streets.

“Investigators believe the woman may have been followed out of the coffee shop and confronted by the suspect, who then stabbed her with the dirty needle,” said Addison. “Because we don’t know what was in the needle and whether there will be any long-term health impacts, the victim was taken to hospital for treatment.”

The 35-year-old suspect is known to police. She was released from custody after agreeing to attend court at a later date.