Vancouver – A Vancouver man has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault following a VPD investigation into a machete attack outside the Empress Hotel in the city’s Downtown Eastside.
A VPD patrol officer was flagged down June 19 in front of the Empress, after two people were reportedly attacked by a stranger while loading luggage into a waiting taxi. Both victims suffered significant injuries that required hospitalization.
The suspect fled immediately after the attack, and police investigators initially only had a limited description. However, detectives were able to gather significant evidence, including security video of a man fleeing the area after the attack. After releasing that video to the public and asking for tips, a suspect was identified.
Kenneth Stephen Solowan, 37, was arrested Wednesday near Chinatown and has now been charged with two counts of aggravated assault. He is currently in custody and will appear in court on August 17.
