Vancouver Suspect in Sucker-Punch Incident Now Linked to 2 More Random Assaults

Zachary Tyrell Shettell, the suspect in a widely publicized sucker-punch incident captured on video in downtown Vancouver, is now charged with assaulting two additional strangers in unprovoked attacks earlier that same week.

The 31-year-old is facing three assault charges related to violent incidents that police believe targeted random individuals with no prior connection to the suspect.

Timeline of Attacks

Shettell was arrested last week following the release of video footage showing a man punching a passerby outside the Hudson’s Bay building on Nov. 28. The victim was struck in the face and knocked to the ground in the heart of the city’s bustling downtown core.

Subsequent investigations linked Shettell to two additional assaults:

• On Nov. 24, he allegedly attacked a 29-year-old man just a few blocks from the site of the sucker-punch incident.

• The following day, on Nov. 25, he is accused of assaulting a 35-year-old man near the Vancouver Art Gallery.

“Police do not believe any of the victims knew the suspect or had any prior interaction with him before being assaulted,” the Vancouver Police Department said in a statement.

Growing Safety Concerns

These charges add to a series of high-profile, random attacks in Vancouver over the past year, fueling public concerns about safety on city streets.

• Last Week: Police fatally shot a man who allegedly assaulted two people inside a 7-Eleven after stealing liquor from a nearby bar.

• September: One man was killed, and another seriously injured in unprovoked, random stabbings in Vancouver’s downtown area.

• Spring 2023: A man with a history of mental illness was accused of stabbing a stranger after a spree of assaults across the city.

The recent surge in violence has left citizens and officials grappling with how to address public safety.

Officials Respond

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, who has emphasized the need for improved safety measures during his tenure, called the recent attacks "devastating" during an interview last week following the police shooting.

“There’s a lot of anger, actually,” Sim said. “We can talk about how crime is down, violence is down, assaults are down, but when these things happen, they’re jarring, and they really impact the entire community.”

Next Steps

Shettell remains in custody as his legal proceedings begin. The incidents underscore ongoing challenges for law enforcement and policymakers to address the perception and reality of public safety in Vancouver.