VPD renews call for information about pair of random attacks in Stanley Park
Posted November 14, 2017 9:27 am.
Last Updated November 14, 2017 11:56 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Vancouver Police are asking the public for more information, nearly a year after the first of two attacks in Stanley Park.
The first attack happened around 2 a.m. on November 16, 2016. An 82-year-old man was found alone in his car in the Brockton Oval parking lot, suffering from serious, traumatic injuries. The elderly man is still recovering.
The second attack happened less than three months later, this time on the seawall between Second and Third beaches. Lubomir “Lubo” Kunik, 61, was attacked and killed. His body was found at around 11 p.m. on February 1st by a man walking his dog on the beach.
Read more: Public warning issued after two random attacks in Stanley Park
Constable Jason Doucette says detectives have made “significant progress” in the cases, but they are still waiting to hear from some key people.
“We strongly believe that there’s people that visit the park at night that have direct knowledge of these offenses and they’re sitting on that information — they have not yet come forward. We’re asking those people to call us.”
Doucette says both of the attack appear to be random and they still aren’t sure whether they are related. “We’re going to treat them as they are related, but we don’t have tunnel vision — we’re open to all options.”
He says neither of the victims appeared to have initiated contact or put themselves in vulnerable positions with the attacker.
“Our investigators have spoken with frequent visitors to the park and people living in the West End,” says Doucette. “We know there are lots of rumours out there about the attacks, especially amongst those who visit the trails at night. Rumour or not, we are asking people to come forward with any information they have about either of these incidents.”
Anyone with information about these attacks are asked to call detectives at 604-717-2500 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Police are urging anyone who visits Stanley Park at night not to do so alone, and to report suspicious behaviour to 9-1-1.
