The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says it is investigating after yet another machete attack left four people in hospital with “serious, life-altering injuries.”.Vancouver Fire Rescue Services notified VPD around 10 p.m. Saturday when a man staying in a rooming house near Granville and Smithe streets set fire to his suite. He then proceeded to attack four people inside the building, all of whom were stabbed..Upon arrival, VPD says its officers were “confronted” by the suspect who was still armed with the weapon. Police opened fire on the machete-wielding man who was arrested and transported to hospital for “serious, non life-threatening injuries.”.Ibrahim Abdela Bakhit, 48, has been charged with one count each of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. VPD confirmed the charges Monday and said he’ll remain in custody until his next court appearance..As with all police-involved shootings, the Independent Investigation Office of BC is conducting its own investigation..The incident comes 48 days after another machete attack left two people hospitalized with head and neck wounds. They had been randomly slashed while loading luggage into a vehicle at East Vancouver’s Empress Hotel..Less than 20 days prior to that slashing — also in East Vancouver — was another similar incident. A driver got out of his car holding a machete in one hand, a smaller knife in the other and began chasing after several people, stabbing one person in the neck and back..Following Saturday's machete madness, Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Steward released a statement calling for justice system reform, specifically around prolific offenders..“Gaps in our mental health and criminal justice system not only fail our public, but our first responders and partners in law enforcement who are committed to community and public safety despite a lack of critical support to comprehensively address violent offenders,” he said..VPD recently highlighted that violent crime in Vancouver increased more than 7% in 2021, compared to pre-pandemic levels. In the fall of 2021 Vancouver police said about four random attacks were happening per day.
