A Vancouver Police investigation has led to the arrest and charge of a suspect, following the assault of a beloved Chinatown security guard on Friday morning.

The 64-year-old victim – a community fixture in Chinatown for years – was assaulted by a stranger around 11 a.m. on Friday while making his rounds near East Pender and Columbia Streets. Investigators believe the victim was taking pictures when someone attacked him.

Bystanders intervened to stop the assault, and witnesses called 9-1-1, but the attacker fled before police arrived.

VPD officers later located and arrested a suspect in Gastown.

Kevin Aaron Hibbard, 44, has been charged with assault.