Vancouver, Canada — Following a recent violent incident where a police officer was stabbed, Vancouver’s specialized police task force, “Task Force Barrage,” will persist in its efforts to address crime in the Downtown Eastside, authorities confirmed on Monday. The wounded officer is currently recovering but has not yet returned to duty since the assault on March 4.
The attack occurred around 7 p.m. as two uniformed officers patrolled the area, a neighborhood known for its challenges related to crime and homelessness. A man reportedly approached the officers from behind and stabbed one in the leg multiple times before fleeing the scene.
Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer expressed his condemnation of the act, describing it as “random senseless violence” and stressing the necessity of incarcerating individuals who pose a serious threat to community safety.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Solaris Onatta Running Dey, faces charges of aggravated assault of a police officer and assault of a peace officer with a weapon. This is not Dey’s first encounter with the law; he was previously convicted of manslaughter in the 2020 death of Aspen Pallot in Richmond and had served two years in prison before a brief probation period ended with violations in December 2023.
Task Force Barrage, initiated with a budget of $5 million in February, aims to dismantle organized crime and address street-level criminal activities in the Downtown Eastside. In light of the recent attack, Sgt. Steve Addison assured the public that the task force will not waver in its mission. “The attack… is a reminder of the dangers that exist for everyone in this area,” Addison stated. He highlighted the ongoing seizures of weapons and drugs in the neighborhood, including fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine, predominantly trafficked by local drug dealers.
Addison revealed that law enforcement efforts extend beyond visible patrols. “We are working covertly to target predatory drug dealers and organized criminal networks,” he explained, underscoring the complexity and duration of the task at hand.
In a demonstration of the task force’s active role, on the same day of the stabbing incident, officers apprehended 30-year-old Christopher Lutz-Veinot, a federal offender with a Canada-wide arrest warrant, further solidifying their presence and continued pressure on criminal elements in the area.
Adding to the day’s successes, task force officers were involved in handling another major incident where a stolen vehicle crashed into multiple parked cars and police cruisers downtown. After a pursuit, the thief was arrested near Main and Union streets by task force personnel.
As the community processes this surge in criminal activities, Dey is slated for his next court appearance on March 19. Meanwhile, police continue to showcase the tangible results of their interactions in the Downtown Eastside, displaying drugs and weapons seized during their operations, aiming to reassure the public about their ongoing commitment to safety.