Public warning issued after two random attacks in Stanley Park

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A warning from Vancouver Police if you’re thinking about going to Stanley Park alone anytime soon — they’re asking you to be extra careful. The department is issuing a public warning following two violent attacks — in one of those cases a man was killed.

WATCH: Why @VancouverPD are warning you to take caution if you plan to enter Stanley Park at night @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/st7rKoJcQ1

— James Cybulski (@cballnews) February 8, 2017

The first incident happened on November 16th, 2016 at about 2 a.m. when someone driving by the north parking lot of Brockton Oval spotted an 82-year-old man who was alone in his car and in some distress. Officers arrived and found the man suffering from severe injuries. That man is still in the hospital.

Nearly three months later, detectives with the VPD’s Major Crime Section have not been able to pinpoint a motive or find the suspect and they’re calling the attack random. However, the force has released a video of a man they’d like to interview in connection with the attack at Brockton Oval.

Exactly one week ago today, just before 11 p.m. police found 61-year-old Lubo Kunik on the park’s seawall between Second and Third Beaches. He had been stabbed and despite the efforts of paramedics he died at the scene.

“Detectives from the Vancouver Police Homicide Unit have not yet identified a suspect or a motive. This attack also appears random. The person of interest that was identified and questioned on the night of the homicide has been released and the investigation remains very active,” says Constable Jason Doucette.

He adds police don’t have evidence linking the two incidents together. “[But] we cannot confirm that these events are not related. In the absence of suspect information and motive, we feel it’s necessary to issue a public warning to alert people who may be in Stanley Park at night to use extra caution.”

The VPD is asking anyone who may be thinking about going to the park alone at night to avoid that and to report any suspicious activity or behaviour to police.

“Our investigators have had an opportunity to review all the evidence that they have so far, look at leads, look at theories and also compare it to other incidents [like] the one at Brockton Oval and the one on the seawall. And we just don’t have enough information at this point to say they’re not related. We don’t have enough information to say that there is one person responsible or if they are completely separate. Out of an abundance of caution with public safety as our number one priority, we thought it was important to issue this warning until we have additional information,” adds Doucette.

He says any piece of information is critical at this point. “If the public sees anything that they deem to be suspicious at the park, they need to give us a call. Call 911 immediately. Without this warning, we’re nervous that people may see something and just move on and think it’s not a bigger deal. It could be a part of the investigation or it may not be, but we want to hear about it,” says Doucette.

He adds the VPD has been liaising with the park rangers at Stanley Park and with their Mounted Squad. They’ve also increased patrols and have called out extra members.

Anyone with information on either of these cases is asked to call detectives at 604.717.2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS (8477.)