JEREMY HAINSWORTH
Associated Press
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — A man shot a person outside a Starbucks and later exchanged gunfire with police outside a downtown Vancouver tourist attraction before being taken into custody, police said Tuesday.
Police responded to gunfire outside the coffee shop shortly after 11 a.m. and found a 52-year-old man who had been shot and seriously wounded.
“Police officers happened to be nearby, challenged the alleged shooter and exchanged several shots,” Vancouver Police Sgt. Randy Fincham said.
The man then fled on a bike pursued by police on foot and bicycle. A second exchange of gunfire took place near Science World, a popular tourist attraction.
“Dozens of officers flooded the area to locate the suspect,” Fincham said.
Fincham said the alleged shooter is hospitalized in serious condition and under police guard. The shooting victim was also hospitalized and listed in stable but critical condition.
One officer sustained minor injuries from flying glass. She was treated at a hospital and released.
Police said there are no other suspects and they have yet to determine a motive for the initial shooting.
Lucas Deharo, a father, said he got a text from his wife who was inside Science World, as were dozens of children, parents and caregivers. He said his wife told him she saw an officer shooting, and that she was told to keep calm and lay down on the floor. He said he jumped in his car and raced to the scene. Science World announced that it had closed for the day to “support police investigations.”
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson thanked police officers for their fast response to the shooting.
“This incident was a brazen attack in broad daylight, and gun violence of any kind will not be tolerated in the City of Vancouver,” he said in a statement. “I know this has been very upsetting for the many people who witnessed the attack, and for those who live and work in the neighborhood.”
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