UPDATE: The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of the suspect as Daniel Peter Rintoul, aged 38, of Vancouver.
Vancouver Police (VPD) say a 38-year-old Vancouver man, originally from Alberta, is dead after allegedly stabbing an officer and a store employee, and taking an elderly man hostage, at an East Vancouver Canadian Tire on Thursday.
The 6’1″, 380-pound man was dressed in camouflage when he entered the store on Bentall Street near Grandview Highway and Rupert Street on Thursday afternoon. He allegedly stabbed a store clerk in the back and across the neck and began taking guns from the store cabinets, the VPD said in a press conference Friday.
He then abandoned the weapons and began walking toward the exit. On his way out, the accused grabbed a customer, an 82-year-old man, and held him hostage.
Police say he then came out of the Canadian Tire exit holding the man at knifepoint. Police confronted the suspect and tried to arrest him. At that point, the suspect allegedly stabbed a police officer multiple times in the head and abdomen.
Police shot at the suspect and he soon died from his injuries.
Watch Below: WARNING! GRAPHIC CONTENT: A violent confrontation at a Vancouver Canadian Tire store left a robbery suspect dead and a police officer in the hospital. Jennifer Palma has more from the scene.
In a video of the altercation, the suspect can be heard yelling “Finish me off! Finish me!” after being shot.
A search of the suspect’s home provided concerning evidence of his criminal intentions, police said.
His identity will be provided by the BC Coroners Service early next week. Police say the suspect is known to police and has been residing in Vancouver for a year or two.
VPD Chief Adam Palmer hailed the “absolutely heroic” actions of officers displayed during the incident. Officers were able to provide life-saving first aid measures to both the injured officer and store employee while handling the call.
The two victims are in stable condition and expected to recover.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is investigating the incident. They ask anyone who may have taken pictures or video of the incident to contact them at 1-855-446-8477 even if the pictures or videos have already been uploaded to social media.
– With files from Jon Azpiri