Skip to content

Suspect named, charged in Vancouver knife attacks that left 1 dead

Brendan Colin McBride, 34, charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault
240912-pan-vancouver-knife-attack-wr-suspect-cp173021406-darryly
Police officers talk while standing near an evidence tent outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Vancouver police say a man has been arrested in connection with two serious incidents that happened between 7:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. in the downtown area and that the investigation is ongoing.

A 34-year-old White Rock man suspected of fatally stabbing one person and slicing the hand off of another in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday (Sept. 5) has been charged. 

Vancouver police say Brendan Colin McBride is facing one count of aggravated assault and one count of second-degree murder. 

The attacks occurred in quick succession Wednesday morning. Officers originally responded to a call near Richards and Dunsmuir streets at 7:38 a.m., where they found a 56-year-old man with a wound to his head and a severed hand.

Eight minutes later, at West Georgia and Hamilton streets, a second man was attacked. That victim, a 70-year-old, died from his injuries. He has been identified as Francis David Laporte.

Vancouver police said Thursday that the injured man underwent surgery and remains in hospital. VPD has chosen not to name him for privacy reasons.

Officers found and arrested McBride shortly after 9 a.m. near Olympic Village, with the help of a drone. He remains in custody and is set to appear in court next on Sept. 18. 

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Vancouver Police Chief Const. Adam Palmer said the attacks appeared to be random, unprovoked and on strangers. He added that the suspect seemed to be "very troubled" and that police were looking into whether mental health was a factor.

McBride also has a history of assaulting police and social workers, according to Palmer. 

Anyone with information or who witnessed the attacks is asked to contact VPD.

READ ALSO: 1 dead, another left with severed hand in B.C. knife attack
 

Breaking News You Need To Know

Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters.

Sign Up with google Sign Up with facebook

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Reset your password

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox.



Don't have an account? Click here to sign up


About the Author: Black Press Media Staff

Read more