Suspect charged with murder and assault after stranger attacks in Vancouver

VANCOUVER – A 34-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault in what police believe were two attacks by strangers in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday.

Vancouver police said in a statement that Brendan Colin McBride will remain in custody until his next court date on September 18.

Police also identified the deceased man as 70-year-old Francis David Laporte.

According to police, the first attack occurred early Wednesday morning near Richards and Dunsmuir streets, where a man had his hand severed by his attacker.

Police said they were not releasing the victim's identity for privacy reasons and that he was still in hospital.

While officers were investigating the first attack, police said Laporte was killed outside the nearby Queen Elizabeth Theater at the corner of West Georgia and Hamilton Streets.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published September 5, 2024.

The Canadian Press