One of two men accused of posing as police officers before violently assaulting an elderly Vancouver woman who later died made his first court appearance, Thursday.
Sandy Jack Parisian, 47, was arrested Tuesday night near Strathcona Park, and is charged with manslaughter.
Vancouver police allege that Parisian and 41-year-old Pascal Bouthillette presented themselves as police officers early Sunday to gain access to the home of 78-year-old Usha Singh near Queen Elizabeth Park.
The men are accused of brutally attacking her and leaving her with critical injuries. Police believe she was left inside helpless for hours before a friend called police to conduct a wellness check.
Singh died Tuesday in hospital.
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Police say Parisian is believed to have been living in a tent in the homeless camp in Strathcona Park, and that some residents of the park were “hostile” towards the officers executing the a search warrant seeking him, creating a “volatile” situation.
“Had we known what they were investigating, I don’t think we would have elevated it to that level,” camp spokesperson Chrissy Brett told Global News.
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A 2019 Vancouver Courier article described him as the designated “mayor” of the previous Oppenheimer Park homeless camp.
But camp supporters say it is unfair to link one accused criminal to everyone living there.
“The fact that there have been deaths and other kinds of crime by people who live in the homeless camp is not the responsibility of the homeless camp,” volunteer Rider Cooey told Global News.
“Making the link is completely artificial.”
Parisian remains in custody and is due back in court on Feb. 19.
Bouthillette, who is charged with second-degree murder, is expected in court the same day.
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