(UPDATE: June 15 @ 1:45 pm) - A sentence has been handed down in connection to the random and unprovoked stabbing of a Mexican international at a downtown Vancouver coffee shop earlier this year.
David Morin, 28, pleaded guilty Tuesday to aggravated assault and received a three-year jail sentence.
Morin, who was 27 at the time, fled the Tim Hortons at Harbour Centre after the Jan. 22 stabbing incident that left Miguel Angel Zepeda Machorro with life-threatening injuries.
He was identified after the Vancouver Police Department released security footage and appealed to the public for help in the case.
Officers found him three days later and arrested him without incident near Granville and Helmcken streets.
A fundraiser set up to assist Machorro with his lengthy recovery and rehabilitation ended up raising nearly $25,000.
(UPDATE: Jan. 28 @ 2:25 pm) - A Mexican man who was stabbed at the Tim Hortons inside Vancouver's Harbour Centre said "(he) honestly thought (he) was going to die."
Miguel Angel Zepeda Machorro made the comment on a GoFundMe he created to help pay medical bills as he recovers from the life-threatening incident that happened on Saturday, Jan. 22.
"I'm glad the guy is off the streets so he doesn't harm anybody else," Machorro explained. "Unfortunately, I've told there's no chance for compensation in this case. Please help me."
Machorro, who is a newcomer to Canada, said the damage was substantial. The blade pierced him in three places, including his liver and lung.
"This aggression was without any provocation on my part," he added.
He is currently in hospital with limited mobility and expects his recovery to take around two months.
His GoFundMe has already raised plenty, and it surpassed the $16,000 mark this afternoon, but if you would like to contribute, click this link.
(UPDATE: Jan. 26 @ 11:30 am) - A 27-year-old man is in custody in connection to what the Vancouver Police Department called a random, unprovoked stabbing of a Mexican tourist at a local Tim Hortons over the weekend.
David Richard Morin was taken into custody near Granville and Helmcken streets shortly after 4 pm on Tuesday.
“We’re relieved to have made an arrest so quickly in this troubling case, and hope this helps restore the sense of safety that some people have lost,” says Sgt. Steve Addison.
“Everyone who came forward with information deserves credit for this quick arrest.”
The arrest came just over 24 hours after the VPD went public with footage of the scary incident, which happened inside the Tim Hortons at Harbour Centre around 6:20 am on Saturday.
“A number of people came forward with information after seeing the video, and thanks to help from the public, investigators identified a suspect from the Downtown Eastside,” noted Addison.
Morin appeared in court this morning and has been charged with one count of aggravated assault. He remains in custody at this time.
The victim, a 25-year-old newcomer to Canada, is recovering from serious and life-threatening injuries, the VPD said.
(Original story: Jan. 24 @ 12:15 pm) - Another unprovoked, random attack that sent a 25-year-old man to hospital with life-threatening stab wounds is being investigated by the Vancouver Police Department.
“This disturbing incident has all the hallmarks of a random attack that came completely without warning, and we’re increasingly worried about the public’s safety,” said Sgt. Steve Addison.
“We need anyone who witnessed this assault to come forward, and we urge anyone who recognizes the suspect to call police.”
The latest attack came Saturday around 6:20 am inside the Tim Hortons at Harbour Centre in downtown Vancouver.
The victim, a newcomer to Canada, was standing near a door to the restaurant and putting on his jacket when the suspect approaches from behind and stabs him multiple times before running outside.
Fortunately, the victim is now expected to survive after being rushed to hospital.
*Editor's Note: The footage below is graphic in nature and may not be suitable for all viewers.*
“We don’t know if there was a motive for this attack, and the fact that it appears random and unprovoked is extremely concerning,” said Addison.
According to Addison, the victim and suspect did not know each other and did not appear to have any significant interactions before the attack.
The suspect is described as a man in his 20s, around 6’2”, with short black hair and a slim build.
He was wearing a grey hoodie with a black hood and sleeves, grey and black stone-washed jeans and black running shoes with white soles.
He also had a black and white facemask with a Crooks and Castles logo, as well as a black and grey backpack.
Saturday’s stabbing happened just three days after the VPD released video of another unprovoked, random attack in Vancouver on New Year’s Eve.
These incidents have reignited the conversation about public safety in the downtown core in light of data that shows, on average, more than four people a day are victimized in these types of unprovoked assaults.
“We recognize these incidents cause significant anxiety and trepidation in the community,” Addison noted.
"However, it’s important that we talk about them so we can solve these crimes and people can make informed decisions about their personal safety.”
Anyone with information on Saturday’s stabbing is urged to contact the VPD’s major crime section at 604-717-2541.