Woman attacked with wood at Kits Beach; man charged
An unprovoked assault at a busy beach Sunday left the victim bleeding and briefly unconscious. Witnesses intervened and helped police locate the suspect nearby.
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A man has been charged with assault with a weapon after he allegedly struck a woman on the head with a piece of lumber at Kitsilano Beach on June 29, shortly before 2 p.m.
The victim was walking along the beach with her partner when the perpetrator picked up a piece of wood about the size and thickness of a baseball bat and hit her from behind. Her companion intervened immediately, and several witnesses came to assist. The woman was bleeding from the head and slipping in and out of consciousness.
She was taken to hospital and is expected to recover. Other witnesses followed the suspect and called 911. Officers arrived and arrested him at a retail store close to the scene based on witnesses' descriptions.
"This appears to be an unprovoked assault in a busy public place," said Sgt. Adam Donaldson. "We're grateful to the witnesses who intervened, followed the suspect, and provided critical information to police."
