Park Board statement on police incident at Ray-Cam Cooperative Centre

November 24, 2010 – At 6 p.m. on the evening of November 23 the Vancouver Police Department responded to a serious incident at Ray-Cam Cooperative Centre, located at 920 East Hastings Street, in which a 24-year-old man had brandished a knife, taken a three-year-old boy hostage and barricaded them inside a washroom in the facility. Early this morning, the police conducted a tactical rescue of the boy at which point the man was taken into custody. Both were transported to hospital and the boy was treated for a cut to his face. This unprovoked and unusual incident involved an individual unknown to the boy and his family.

The Park Board wishes to extend its gratitude to the young boy and his family who remained calm throughout the incident. Thanks also to the Ray-Cam staff who took quick action, to community centre members for their support and cooperation, and to the Police team who managed and resolved this very difficult situation.

Ray-Cam Cooperative Centre is open for regular and full operation today including child care services. Ray-Cam staff and community agencies will provide whatever support the family needs at this time. The Park Board is grateful to all involved for the successful outcome.

Any questions on the incident should be directed to VPD Media Relations - see their statement below.

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Park Board media enquiries: Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications,
at (t) 604-257-8699 or (c) 604-861-4375

Vancouver Police Department media enquiries: Constable Lindsey Houghton, 604-717-3679

Vancouver Police Department statement:

From: Houghton, Lindsey [lindsey.houghton@vpd.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2010 3:25 AM
Subject: Ray Cam Incident - VPD Statement

Statement of Cst Lindsey Houghton

When a child is in danger there is nothing we won't do to make sure they are safe and reunited with their family as soon as possible.

Tonight, shortly before 6:00 p.m., we received a 9-1-1 call from the Ray Cam Community Centre telling us that there was a man yelling and screaming and holding a knife.

The incident quickly escalated when we were told that the man had grabbed a 3 year old boy who had been in the Centre with his mom.

The man took the child into a basement bathroom and barricaded himself and the boy inside.

Officers quickly arrived, locked down the Centre and evacuated everyone.

Two adults who had been downstairs using the gym were able to get out with the help of officers while a negotiator started talking to the man.

Negotiations continued while we brought in every resource available to the Centre to help reunite the young boy with his family.

Emergency Response Team members even brought their robot to help us communicate more effectively and safely with the man.

This toddler has to be one of the bravest boys around. We can't begin to imagine how terrifying this must have been for the boy and his family. Every minute must have seemed like a lifetime.

The mother and father's composure throughout the emotional incident is beyond commendable.

At about midnight we were able to get the man's real name and with that investigators were able to find a family member to come and assist our negotiators.

The negotiations, with the help from the relative, continued until the man's mental state deteriorated to a point where he cut the boy's cheek.

Emergency Response Team officers conducted a dynamic hostage rescue to prevent further and possibly more serious grievous injury to the boy.

The boy suffered a deep 3 inch cut to his cheek and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The man, a 24 year old Vancouver resident, was taken into custody and transported to hospital for examination of a small cut to his mouth.

He is facing possible forcible confinement, assault with a weapon, and weapons-related charges.

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There are no updates expected later this morning and I am not available for further clips.

Constable Lindsey Houghton
Media Relations Officer
Community & Public Affairs Section
Vancouver Police Department - Beyond The Call
W: 604-717-3679
P: 604-205-4686