Muhammad Amanullah — September 12, 2026
Vancouver police have arrested a 45-year-old man accused of targeting pedestrians in three separate incidents in the city’s downtown area over the course of several hours.
According to police, three assault charges have been laid against the suspect, who remains in custody.
Three Incidents
The Vancouver Police Department said it received multiple reports on Thursday morning and afternoon about a man allegedly targeting people without apparent reason in downtown Vancouver.
Police received the reports between approximately 9:50 a.m. and 12:55 p.m. The suspect was reportedly behaving unusually and approaching different people on the streets.
First Alleged Assault
According to police, the first incident occurred at approximately 9:50 a.m. near Seymour and Georgia streets.
Police said the suspect allegedly punched a pedestrian on one side of the face while the person was walking on the sidewalk.
The incident was reported to police, who began searching for the suspect.
Second Incident
About 10 minutes after the first incident, another person was allegedly targeted.
The incident occurred near Davie and Granville streets, where police said the suspect allegedly spat in a person’s face.
Police connected the two incidents and continued searching for the suspect after receiving information that the same person may have been involved in both cases.
Third Alleged Assault
Police said the third incident occurred at approximately 12:55 p.m. near Georgia and Hamilton streets.
A person was allegedly targeted in this incident as well, with police saying the suspect allegedly spat in the person’s face.
After receiving reports of three separate incidents involving the same suspect within a few hours, police intensified efforts to locate and arrest him.
Police Make Arrest
According to Vancouver police, officers did not take long to locate the suspect following the alleged assaults and arrested him.
Police later identified the suspect as Gregory Edwin Lawrence Brumwell.
Three Charges Laid
Police said Gregory Edwin Lawrence Brumwell faces three assault charges related to the three separate incidents reported in downtown Vancouver on Thursday.
According to police, the suspect allegedly targeted different individuals during each incident.
Suspect Remains in Custody
Following his arrest, Brumwell was taken into custody and remains detained while facing allegations related to all three incidents.
Authorities said the suspect was allegedly approaching people on the streets and targeting them in what appeared to be random encounters.
Incidents Reported Within Hours
One notable aspect of the case is that all three alleged assaults were reported on the same day within a period of roughly three hours.
The first incident occurred at about 9:50 a.m., while the second was reported approximately 10 minutes later. The third incident was reported at around 12:55 p.m.
Police therefore received three reports involving the same individual allegedly targeting people at different locations across downtown Vancouver.
Investigation Continues
Vancouver police have launched further investigations into the incidents. Police have not released additional details about the individuals who were allegedly targeted.
Initial information from authorities indicates that the incidents occurred on different streets in downtown Vancouver. The suspect has been arrested and further legal proceedings are underway.
The three charges against Gregory Edwin Lawrence Brumwell have not been proven in court. Under Canadian law, an accused person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
