WATCH: The Independent Investigations office is the Downtown Eastside looking for witnesses to a fatal officer-involved shooting. Jill Bennett reports.
The Independent Investigations Office has begun their investigation after Vancouver Police shot and killed a man who stabbed several people in the Downtown Eastside.
It happened just before 5 p.m. on April 9, just outside the First United Church at Hastings Street and Gore Avenue. Police received reports that a man had stabbed multiple people, and when they arrived they found the suspect outside the church, still wielding a knife.
Sgt. Randy Fincham says they attempted to take him into custody without success, before using a bean bag shotgun in an attempt to subdue him.
That failed as well, and according to Fincham the suspect then began stabbing a woman who was standing nearby.
Police then shot the suspect, who died on scene. He has been identified as Abdi Gani Mahamud Hirsi, aged 26, from Edmonton, Alberta.
WATCH: Viewer video shows the incident between the man and police”
Witnesses told Global News they saw the suspect attempting to flee from police.
“The police officer said ‘you stop,’ he didn’t stop,” said Marlin Mah, who watched the incident from across the street. He said the man then ran into the alleyway.
“The police officers were trying to duress the individual, next thing you know I hear three loud pops.”
The woman who was stabbed outside the church is in hospital with serious injuries and is in critical condition. Two men stabbed before police arrived are being treated for non life-threatening injuries.
The call to police originally came from the First United Church. Communication Director Heather Forbes says it’s not known if the people involved were known to church staff, but wanted to emphasize the incident “is not normal for the Downtown Eastside.”
“The people that live here are incredibly supportive, incredibly caring and are really generous kind-hearted people,” she said.
“We are putting our energy in making sure the community is feeling safe and supportive, and making sure everyone feels OK. We’re very sad that this violent incident happened, and our prayers are with the victims.”
The community brought in a pastor today so people can discuss the incident.
“Everyone’s being really supportive of each other,” Forbes says.
“We’re a really tight knit community and everyone looks out for each other and so everyone’s putting a lot of energy into making sure people that witness the events and experienced trauma yesterday are feeling supported and loved.”
The Independent Investigations Office, which oversees all police-involved shootings in British Columbia, are responding to the scene. They say they need to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident and get a hold of any other video that may exist.
“It’s important to remember that the Vancouver Police Department maintains sole responsiblity for the investigations into the actions of the affected person, who in this case is deceased,” said Kelly Kilpatrick, IIO spokesperson.
“The IIO will be focusing on the actions of the police officer.”
Members of the community held a candlelight vigil in support of the victims this afternoon.
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