A male suspect is reportedly in custody after a stabbing attack at a library in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Saturday left one person dead and five others wounded.
“We have six victims who sustained stab wounds. We have a victim who has sadly succumbed to injuries. That victim is a woman,” said police Sgt. Frank Jang, according to Reuters.
“We believe we have the lone suspect in custody … Obviously the question is why did this happen,” Jang added.
No information about the suspect’s identity or that of the victims was immediately released. One witness told Reuters that the attacker appeared to have selected victims at random.
“It seemed like he was just running in a direction, whoever was in his path happened to be victimized,″ Steve Mossop told the news agency.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledge the attack on Twitter and said his thoughts were with the victims and their families, writing: “My heart is in North Vancouver tonight. To everyone affected by this violent incident in Lynn Valley, know that all Canadians are keeping you in our thoughts and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.”
Global News, a Canadian news agency, reported that the attack occurred outside of the Lynn Valley Library near a shopping center packed with people. The attacker appeared to injure himself with a knife before being taken into custody, according to Global News, which reported that six people including the attacker were transported to a hospital.