Suspect in Vancouver stabbing was involved in 'frightening series' of stranger attacks before arrest, police say
The suspect in a stabbing in downtown Vancouver was allegedly involved in a "frightening series of unprovoked attacks" before he was taken into custody Wednesday, according to officials.
Kent Meades, 46, has been charged with assault with a weapon, assault, and uttering threats, Chief Const. Adam Palmer announced at a news conference Thursday, adding that more charges are anticipated. The victim of the stabbing, a 61-year-old man, was seriously injured and was a "total stranger" to Meades, the police chief said.
Meades was arrested just before noon, minutes after police flooded the area near Cambie and Smithe streets in response to 911 calls about a person being stabbed and a man wielding a knife, Palmer told reporters.
"Though our investigation is ongoing, we now believe that the same man is responsible for five separate, violent and unprovoked incidents that unfolded in downtown Vancouver throughout the morning yesterday," he said, before providing a timeline of what investigators believe led up to the stabbing.
At around 8:40 a.m., a man was attacked by a stranger while walking near Seymour and West Cordova streets.
Minutes later, police received a 911 call reporting that a man had entered a coffee shop near the Harbour Centre.
"There was a disturbance causing a glass window to be broken and making customers fear for their safety," Palmer said.
At 11:25 a.m. – roughly 30 minutes before the stabbing was reported – a man walking near Main and Prior Streets was "chased by a stranger who lunged at him with a knife and was yelling at him," the chief continued.
The stabbing was the fourth incident Palmer mentioned. The fifth was an "additional assault" about which Palmer did not provide details.
"These are extremely serious crimes and nobody should downplay the impact that they have in our community. Everybody should feel safe when they go into a coffee shop or they head out for a walk on their lunch break in downtown Vancouver," he said.
Meades was described by the police chief as having "mental health challenges." He was released from jail six days ago after completing a sentence for uttering threats against his family members and "prominent federal politicians," Palmer said, adding that Meades was due to report to a probation officer in Surrey Wednesday morning, but did not do so.
"Our investigative team has also learned more about the background of the person that we have arrested. What we're learning is concerning," Palmer said.
Meades lived abroad for a number of years and Palmer said he returned to the Lower Mainland in 2022. While overseas, he was charged with breaking into a bank and "causing damage inside of that premises," according to the chief.
Palmer said investigators are still seeking information, witnesses and video that may help them further the investigation into what unfolded Wednesday, and are urging anyone who can assist – including additional victims – to come forward by calling 604-717-2541.
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