Man stabbed in tent at Vancouver’s Strathcona Park, found eight hours later

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A 46-year-old man is in critical, but stable condition after being stabbed inside a tent at Strathcona Park, then wasn’t found for eight hours.

Two possible suspects have been arrested, according to the Vancouver Police Department.

A woman found the man, wrapped in a blood-soaked towel, on the corner of Raymur Avenue and Venables Street around 8 a.m.

A 46-year-old man is in hospital with “major stab wounds” after what’s believed to be an attack inside tent at #StrathconaPark.@VancouverPD report it happened around 12am, but victim found 8 hours later on the corner of Raymur and Venables “wrapped in a towel soaked in blood.” https://t.co/697GLdF4bV

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) October 16, 2020

“This man has some major stab wounds to his body,” Const. Tania Visintin says. “With the amount of people in the park, we believe there is someone who has information on what happened.”

Investigators believe the man was stabbed inside a tent in the park around midnight.

“The victim is in hospital in critical, but stable condition. It is very troubling to know this man was suffering from his extensive injures for eight hours or more before paramedics or police were called,” adds Visintin.

She says this incident speaks to the ongoing issue around safety.

“I mean, ever since the Oppenheimer shut down, and Strathcona opened up for the encampment, we definitely have had more calls there.”

‘Wouldn’t be acceptable in any other part of the city’

Katie Lewis, vice president of the Strathcona Residents Association, wonders what it will take for things to be safer in the neighbourhood.

“I think it just speaks to the continued escalation of violence in the park, and also, you know the fact that there are a number of individuals there that are trying to control a narrative.”

Lewis says there are a variety of people taking advantage of the campers.

“Campers themselves are not safe right now,” she says. “Criminals are in there preying on vulnerable people. We hear increasing concern from the police about the situation in the park. From our perspective, this just isn’t acceptable and we know that this wouldn’t be acceptable in any other part of the city. We really question why it seems to be acceptable in Strathcona.”

Lewis explains discussions about the situation continue, but at the end of the day, the different levels of government need to take action.

“They’re working to secure places for people to go. Park Board has a role to play in this, as well. And unfortunately due to the provincial election, the province is, we’re in a bit of a holding pattern waiting for them.”

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About 400 campers have been staying at a tent city in Strathcona Park since the summer. Discarded needles, threats of violence, and stolen property near the park have led to some neighbours saying they feel unsafe, while a Vancouver councillor has demanded faster government support.

Last month, the VPD was called to the park area after receiving reports of a man who was chasing and threatening people with a chainsaw. The man apparently entered the park and was eventually arrested.

The recent incidents tied to the homeless encampment have had residents demanding change to address the ongoing tensions around the park.

Katie Lewis, vice president of the Strathcona Residents’ Association, said recently she wants to hear what campaigning provincial party leaders have to say about Strathcona’s unsupported tent city, as well as the crime and safety issues surrounding it.

Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to call 9-1-1 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.