Vancouver, Canada – The suspect involved in a random downtown stabbing on Wednesday afternoon was engaged in a series of incidents before being apprehended, stated Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer at a press conference on Thursday. Palmer expressed concern over the unfolding events as he provided details of the attack that occurred near Smithe and Beatty streets shortly before noon. The suspect, a 46-year-old man, was reported to have chased multiple individuals with a knife, resulting in a 61-year-old man being stabbed and seriously injured. Fortunately, the victim was promptly attended to by officers and is expected to recover from his injuries.
Palmer further revealed that the victim and the suspect had no known prior relationship, emphasizing that they were complete strangers to each other. The suspect, who is known to law enforcement, is believed to be grappling with mental health challenges. He had recently returned from Thailand in 2022 where he faced legal issues, including breaking into a bank and overstaying his visa. Moreover, the suspect had been released from Fraser Regional Correctional Centre on probation just six days before the violent incidents in downtown Vancouver unfolded.
According to Palmer, the suspect’s criminal activities in the city may have involved five separate instances of unprovoked violence. One of the incidents took place near Seymour and West Cordova streets around 8:40 a.m. on Wednesday. Subsequently, another disturbance occurred in a coffee shop near Harbour Centre, leading to a commotion that left customers in fear. A third incident transpired at around 11:25 a.m. near Main and Prior streets, where a man was targeted with a knife by the suspect before managing to escape unharmed.
Following the random stabbing of the 61-year-old victim, the suspect, identified as Kent Meades, was swiftly apprehended by law enforcement. Meades has since been charged with assault with a weapon and uttering threats, with additional charges anticipated. Currently in police custody, Meades awaits further legal proceedings as the investigation continues into his involvement in other criminal acts.