The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) has released footage of a violent incident in the hopes it will help them identify the suspect.
The "random and unprovoked assault" occurred around 10:04 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28 on West Georgia Street in front of the Hudson's Bay building and Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver.
The footage shows the victim, a 28-year-old man, walking down the street towards a busy bus stop.
Another man is seen standing, slightly hunched, near the building.
As the victim walks past the bus stop the man lunges and punches the victim in the face, knocking him over.
The man then flees the scene towards Granville Street. Bystanders, initially stunned, offer help to the victim.
Suspect attacks stranger with a 'violent sucker-punch'
“This was a completely unprovoked and violent sucker-punch on a total stranger,” says Sgt Steve Addison in a press release. “Given this level of random violence, we have serious concerns that another innocent person could be assaulted and badly injured by this suspect."
Police describe the suspect as a man in his 20s wearing dark pants with a checkered shirt.
The VPD is still seeking witnesses to the attack; some of the people who saw it didn't stay on scene to talk to police.
“As our investigation continues, we’d like to speak to anyone who was present in the moments prior to the assault, as well as those who helped the victim after he was attacked,” says Addison.
Witnesses or anyone with information about the attack can call the VPD at 604-717-4022.
