The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is looking for more witnesses after a mother and her toddler were struck by a shirtless suspect running through Chinatown earlier this month..The assault happened shortly after officers responded to reports of a man walking in traffic and kicking cars — denting one, according to police — on the morning of July 9..The man fled when police responded and, while running on the south side of East Pender Street near Gore Avenue, bulldozed the mother and her child, narrowly missing the toddler’s head with his knee..The child suffered multiple scrapes and the mother was knocked down and struck her head, police say..Moments later VPD arrested 27-year-old Shakwan David Kelly and transported him to jail, however he was released from custody after being charged with mischief, assault, and obstructing a peace officer..Failing to return for his scheduled court appearance on July 12, Kelly is now wanted province-wide..“This assault occurred in a busy neighbourhood and was witnessed by about a dozen people,” said VPD's Sergeant Steve Addison..“Although we’ve spoken to some witnesses, we’re still collecting evidence and we’d like to hear from others who saw or heard what happened.”.VPD highlighted in May that violent crime in Vancouver increased more than 7% in 2021, compared to pre-pandemic levels. In the fall of 2021, the department said about four random attacks were happening per day.
