Latest news with #MetroVancouverTransitPolice
CTV News
26-06-2025
- CTV News
18-year-old arrested for assaulting middle school student on New Westminster bus, police say
A Metro Vancouver Transit Police officer is seen in this undated image. (Metro Vancouver Transit Police/Facebook) An 18-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a 13-year-old middle school student on a Metro Vancouver bus. The incident occurred on June 19 in New Westminster, according to a news release from Metro Vancouver Transit Police. Around 3:30 that afternoon, the victim boarded a bus on 8th Avenue with a group of other students, police said, adding that the 13-year-old was headed home from school. 'A few stops later, the student stood up to exit the bus and accidentally bumped an 18-year-old man with his backpack,' the MVTP statement reads. 'The man then allegedly grabbed the student by the throat and punched them multiple times. Both the suspect and the student departed the bus, at different stops.' Police said they received 'multiple phone calls and text messages' reporting the incident, and were soon able to identify the suspect. He was arrested on June 20 and has since been released with conditions. MVTP did not name the suspect, and there are no online court records related to the police file number, indicating that charges have not yet been laid. 'Transit police would like to thank the young witnesses who came forward, supported by their parents, to share their information with officers,' said Const. Amanda Steed, in the release. 'We understand that it can be difficult to recount something deeply upsetting that a person has experienced or witnessed, and would like to commend these students for finding the courage to do so.' Transit police said they 'continue to work closely with school administration' to address concerns about student safety on transit. They asked anyone with information about the June 19 assault who has not yet spoken to investigators to call 604-515-8300, or text 87-77-77.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
B.C. program targeting repeat violent offenders receives funding boost
British Columbia's Minister for Public Safety and Solicitor General Gary Begg meets with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin during the swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Victoria, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito SURREY — British Columbia's public safety minister says the provincial government is adding another $6 million to a policing initiative targeting repeat violent offenders. Gary Begg says the money for the Special Investigation and Targeted Enforcement program will build on the initiative's past successes in leading to more than 2,600 criminal charges since its launch in 2023. Begg says the funding has supported nearly 150 investigations in dozens of communities, leading to 'substantial' seizures of weapons, drugs and stolen goods. The minister, who's a former RCMP officer, says policing challenges have been made more complex as 'mental health struggles, the toxic opioid crisis and homelessness have intensified in recent years.' Begg says the program was launched originally as a three-year pilot project aimed at boosting policing capacity, and police departments now say it's 'as a critical tool in combating repeat violence.' He says the funding for the program has benefited agencies, including the Metro Vancouver Transit Police, and is also credited by Vancouver police for a substantial drop in violent crime along the city's Hastings Street. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
20-06-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. Public Safety Minister says program funding targets repeat violent offenders
SURREY – British Columbia's public safety minister says the provincial government is adding another $6 million to a policing initiative targeting repeat violent offenders. Gary Begg says the money for the Special Investigation and Targeted Enforcement program will build on the initiative's past successes in leading to more than 2,600 criminal charges since its launch in 2023. Begg says the funding has supported nearly 150 investigations in dozens of communities, leading to 'substantial' seizures of weapons, drugs and stolen goods. The minister, who's a former RCMP officer, says policing challenges have been made more complex as 'mental health struggles, the toxic opioid crisis and homelessness have intensified in recent years.' Begg says the program was launched originally as a three-year pilot project aimed at boosting policing capacity, and police departments now say it's 'as a critical tool in combating repeat violence.' He says the funding for the program has benefited agencies, including the Metro Vancouver Transit Police, and is also credited by Vancouver police for a substantial drop in violent crime along the city's Hastings Street. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- CTV News
High-risk sex offender charged in SkyTrain groping, transit police say
Hayden McCorriston was the subject of a public warning by the Vancouver Police Department on April 17, 2025. A 'high-risk sex offender' has been charged with sexual assault after allegedly groping a teenage girl in Surrey earlier this year. Metro Vancouver Transit Police announced Thursday that 30-year-old Hayden McCorriston had been charged with sexual assault in connection to an April 18 incident at Gateway SkyTrain Station. Around 9 p.m. that day, McCorriston allegedly followed a 17-year-old girl off of a train and groped her as she walked along the platform. The suspect then fled the station when the girl approached other passengers for help. At the time of the assault, the Vancouver Police Department had just issued a public warning about McCorriston, saying that he was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching the conditions of his release from prison. It was the second warning the VPD had issued about McCorriston in as many days. He was also the subject of a public warning when he was released to a Vancouver halfway house on April 17. According to police, McCorriston had obtained statutory release after serving two-thirds of his three-year, two-month sentence, which he received in 2023 after pleading guilty to five counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault, one count of assault by choking, one count of committing an indecent act, and one count of robbery. In their news release Thursday, transit police said McCorriston remains in custody. 'Everyone has the right to arrive at their transit destination safely, and without the fear of harassment or assault,' said Const. Amanda Steed, in the release. 'Thanks to this young woman's quick thinking, officers were able to conduct investigative steps that identified the suspect and make an arrest.' With files from CTV News Vancouver's Andrew Weichel
The Province
05-06-2025
- The Province
No charges against Metro Vancouver transit cop who shot and injured 'deranged guy'
The officer fired seven shots after beanbag rounds, a Taser and being hit by a slow-moving police car failed to faze the suspect File photo of a Metro Vancouver Transit Police officer. Photo by Gerry Kahrmann / PNG A Metro Vancouver Transit Police officer won't be charged after he fired seven rounds at a suspect during a 2022 confrontation, the B.C. Prosecution Service says. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The non-fatal shooting on Nov. 28 of that year was investigated by the Independent Investigations Office of B.C., and the chief civilian director ruled that there were reasonable grounds to think the officer might have committed an offence. But prosecutors decided there is 'no substantial likelihood of conviction' after a followup investigation, and no charges will be laid. A detailed explanation of the incident released Thursday outlined the reasons for the decision. On that night, a couple called 911 reporting a 'deranged guy' carrying a knife in Gastown who they'd seen punch someone. Other callers said the same man attacked people outside a bar on Abbott Street and that he took off with a broken pool cue in hand as a bar staffer chased him with the other half. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Two transit cops heard from Vancouver police that he was walking west on West Cordova Street. It was reported to be a knife or a sword but turned out to be the broken pool cue. VPD officers told the man to drop the weapon and shot him five times with a beanbag gun after he failed to comply. 'These rounds had no apparent effect on the (man's) behaviour,' according to the officers. As they tried to block him with a police car, he stumbled briefly then continued to advance on the officers, weapon still in hand. Another round from the beanbag gun and a Taser were fire, again to little effect, before the transit officer fired seven rounds with his handgun. The man was taken to hospital with serious injuries. B.C. prosecutors considered charges of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon, but prosecutors failed to find evidence to warrant them. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The statement said police are 'justified in doing what (they are) required or authorized to do and in using as much force as necessary for that purpose,' as long as officers believe there is an imminent threat to them or those they are trying to protect. There is some leeway in the case of an officer in a dangerous, dynamic situation, but the use of force must not be unreasonable or excessive. Given the evidence, the prosecution service said a trial would 'likely conclude that reasonable grounds existed for the officers to believe the (man) posed an imminent risk to anyone he might encounter' and that use of force was needed to prevent any further violence. Though seven shots were fired, prosecutors determined a court 'would likely conclude that the officer's perception that the man posed a risk of death or grievous bodily harm was both subjectively and objectively reasonable.' Video evidence supports the witness evidence that the man was unfazed by the beanbag rounds, Taser round and contact with the police cruiser. The suspect later admitted to investigators he was still holding a weapon and that this was 'probably the reason I got shot.' jruttle@ Read More
