VANCOUVER Police have made an arrest following another unprovoked stabbing with a hypodermic needle in the Downtown Eastside.

VPD officers were called around 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday after a 41-year-old woman walking near Main and East Pender streets was assaulted by a stranger, who allegedly stuck a needle in the woman’s leg.

“It appears there was no prior interaction between the victim and the suspect, and the assault was completely unprovoked,” said Sgt. Steve Addison on Thursday. “The victim did the right thing by calling VPD right away and keeping an eye on the suspect until officers arrived moments later.”

VPD quickly arrested the suspect, a 27-year-old woman who lives in the neighbourhood. Kayla Elizabeth Kelly has now been charged for assault with a weapon.

There is no evidence that Tuesday’s incident is related to a similar stabbing with a hypodermic needle that occurred near East Pender and Abbott streets in November 2021, police said.