VANCOUVER Police on Wednesday said they have identified and arrested the suspect in an unprovoked stranger assault that occurred on West Georgia Street last week.

Police released security video of the November 28 assault on Tuesday, asking witnesses to come forward and for public assistance to identify the suspect. Late Tuesday afternoon, a VPD officer patrolling downtown spotted the suspect near Library Square and took him into custody.

The suspect remains in custody on other charges.

“This was a completely unprovoked and violent sucker-punch on a total stranger,” Sgt. Steve Addison said on Tuesday. “Given this level of random violence, we have serious concerns that another innocent person could be assaulted and badly injured by this suspect. It’s imperative that we work quickly to gather all evidence from eyewitnesses and take this person into custody as soon as possible.”

The 28-year-old victim was walking alone on West Georgia Street, in front the Hudson’s Bay, at 10:04 p.m. on Thursday, November 28, when a stranger lunged at him for no apparent reason, struck him in the face, and knocked him to the ground. The victim sustained facial injuries, but did not require hospitalization. The suspect ran toward Granville Street immediately after the assault.

The attack occurred close to a bus stop near West Georgia and Seymour Street, with more than a dozen people standing nearby. Several bystanders assisted the victim after he was knocked to the ground, while others flagged down VPD officers.

VPD’s Major Crime Section continues to investigate the November 28 assault. Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to call 604-717-2541.

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