Suspect in violent attack on bus passed away from apparent overdose

AN appeal to the public by Metro Vancouver Transit Police has led to the identity of a suspect who allegedly assaulted a woman while on a bus.

On May 12, Metro Vancouver Transit Police appealed to the public for help in identifying a man who allegedly attacked a woman, pulling her hair and punching her multiple times while on a bus.

Transit Police said the suspect in this incident has been identified, thanks to tips from the public, as a 48-year-old Vancouver resident of no fixed address, who was well known to police.

The investigation determined that the suspect passed away from an apparent drug overdose approximately one week after the incident.

At approximately 4:25 p.m. on April 15, a man boarded a bus at Main Street and East Hastings in Vancouver. Shortly after, two East Asian women, wearing protective masks, entered the bus and sat down. The man immediately directed his attention to the two women, stating words to the effect of “go back to your country; that’s where it all started.”

A woman who was sitting directly across from the man told him to leave the two women alone. This led to a brief argument between the man and woman where he allegedly threatened her. Moments later, the suspect allegedly jumped up and kicked the victim in the leg.

As the victim stood up to defend herself, the suspect allegedly reached over and violently pulled the victim’s hair, pulling so hard that a large clump of hair was pulled from her head. The suspect allegedly punched the victim numerous times in the head and wrestled her to the ground. While pinned to the floor of the bus, the victim was able to fight the suspect off.

The suspect left the bus and was last seen running away near Commercial Drive and East Hastings. The victim received bruising to her leg and suffered an injured scalp.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police thanked the media and the public for their assistance in this investigation.