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North Vancouver RCMP are appealing for the public’s help after a 26-year-old man was reportedly attacked by teens wielding machetes near the North Vancouver SeaBus entrance Wednesday evening (June 1).
Police rushed to the scene after receiving multiple 911 calls around 9:15 p.m. from witnesses who saw the machete attack take place.
Officers arrived to find passersby providing first aid to the man, who had suffered what police described as a “significant wound to his arm.”
Police immediately provided emergency first aid, which included the use of a police tourniquet to stop the bleeding, and called for paramedics, said Sgt. Peter DeVries, spokesman for the North Vancouver RCMP.
The man was rushed to hospital in serious condition.
“There was a significant wound that required surgery,” said DeVries.
Police learned from witnesses there had been an altercation between the victim and a group of four to five youths who had fled the scene prior to police arriving, said DeVries.
Some time later, North Vancouver RCMP officers conducting patrols at the Phibbs Exchange bus loop at Main Street and Hwy 1, located two teens who matched descriptions provided by witnesses – a 17-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy. Both were found to be in possession of machetes, said DeVries, and were arrested for possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Those teens have since been released into the custody of their guardians, on conditions not to possess any weapons and not to go near Lonsdale Quay.
Police said although the victim and the teens didn’t know each other, the attack does not appear to be random.
DeVries said they believe there were two or three other youths who were involved in the altercation they would like to identify.
“We believe there are people who have video footage on their cellphones,” he said. Police are asking anyone who has video footage of the incident to call police at 604-985-1311.
They are also encouraging anyone who may have video surveillance from the area along East Esplanade between Lonsdale Avenue and St. Georges Avenue, between 9 p.m. and 9:45 on June 1, to check for footage.
DeVries described the attack as alarming. “There’s absolutely no reason anyone should be walking around North Vancouver with a machete,” he said.
Police have not released information about whether the teens arrested are from the North Shore.
No charges have been laid yet. Police said the investigation is continuing.
