The suspect arrested Sunday night for stabbing three people attending the Light Up Chinatown Festival has been charged by police.
Blair Evan Donnelly, 64, is charged with three counts of aggravated assault.
Police confirm he remains in custody after he was quickly arrested by officers nearby. The three victims, a man and woman in their 60s and a woman in her early 20s, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
During a press conference Monday morning, police said Donnelly was out on a day pass from a Lower Mainland forensic psychiatric center.
Online court documents show that the 64-year-old killed his 16-year-old daughter in 2006. In 2008, he was found not criminally responsible as it was determined he suffered from a mental disorder. Court documents show that Donnelly was then sent to the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam.
“In my view, their evidence is credible. There is no doubt that Mr. Donnelly was suffering from a mental disorder, or disease of the mind, as it is classically termed, at the time that the crime was committed,” said the Honourable Mr. Justice Groberman back in 2008.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim was also at the press conference Monday morning and issued his own statement shortly after the unprovoked attack took place.
“Every single person who lives in or visits our city has a right to feel safe. To see individuals physically harmed by such senseless violence is heartbreaking,” said Sim.
“Our city stands shoulder to shoulder with Light up Chinatown!, our Chinese community and all those who participated today. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this act of violence. We wish all of those affected a speedy recovery, and offer our support to their families and loved ones.”