A 28-year-old B.C. man remains behind bars charged with multiple offences while the man he allegedly stabbed on a city bus remains in critical condition in hospital.
Vancouver Police Department officers responded just before 3 a.m. on July 20 to reports that someone had been stabbed on a bus near the Burrard Bridge in Kitsilano.
When officers arrived, they found a 22-year-old man with life-threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital and is receiving medical treatment.
A suspect was arrested near Burrard Street and Cornwall Avenue.
Parsa Ganjizadehzavareh is charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Five family members of the victim, who Lodestar Media has chosen not to name, were in court Thursday morning for Ganjizadehzavareh's appearance.
“He’s in critical condition,” an uncle said of the victim. “The charge is aggravated assault. We believe it should be attempted murder. It was a very violent assault. It should be prosecuted as such.”
The court heard Ganjizadehzavareh has agreed to remain in custody so the family left the courtroom wanting to speak with prosecutor Elliot Poll.
Ganjizadehzavareh appeared in the secure prisoner’s dock soon after, standing with his arms crossed as Vancouver Provincial Court Judge Steven Merrick heard lawyer submissions. He is being held in local cells.
The case was adjourned for a week for Ganjizadehzavareh and his lawyer to put together a release plan for a bail hearing. Ganjizadehzavareh is expected to appear in person on that date.
The Court Services Online database shows Ganjizadehzavareh is also charged with assault causing bodily harm and possessing weapon for dangerous purpose in connection with June 11 events.
