A shocking and violent security camera video has been released by Vancouver police investigators in hopes to identify suspects.
In the video, three men are seen attacking a man as he leaves a store, quickly swarming the victim with punches and kicks, while two women watch from a short distance.
After the attack, the men and women were seen leaving together, leaving the victim injured on the side of the road.
Vancouver police held a press conference on Saturday regarding the assault.
“We are investigating this attack as a hate crime,” said Const. Tania Visintin, a Vancouver Police Department officer.
“This happened during Vancouver’s Pride Week and the suspects reportedly did utter some homophobic threats to the victim during the attack.”
Vancouver police said a number of people witnessed the event and investigators are looking to speak with those witnesses.
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“We need people who stopped and watched to come forward,” said Visintin.
Police said the victim suffered minor physical injuries and is making a recovery.
“Anytime there is an unproved attack random in nature with what we believe to involve a hate element… to be attacked for who you are, what you look like, what you believe in… I can’t imagine what the victim is going through. His physical injuries could be minor but there is a lot of emotional trauma which comes with this,” said Visintin.
“This is another disturbing assault that appears to have occurred without provocation.”
Police said the attack took place outside of a convenience store near Commercial Drive and 10 Ave. in the early hours of July 31.
“Shortly after midnight, a 42-year-old man stopped off to buy a slurpee after celebrating Pride Week events downtown,” said Visintin.
“There was a brief verbal confrontation between the man and another person who was waiting in line, and when the victim left the store he was jumped by three men.”
Police say the suspects are three men who appear to be in their 20s.
One man was wearing a black T-shirt and black pants, with black shoes that had orange markings.
The two other men were wearing white T-shirts and dark shorts, with white shoes.
Anyone with possible information regarding the assault or the suspects is being asked to contact Vancouver police at 604-717-9209.
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