A senior citizen has been charged after a minivan was set ablaze outside Vancouver City Hall on Monday evening.
According to Vancouver Police, the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. when a 72-year-old man allegedly drove his minivan onto the steps of City Hall and set it on fire.
Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke coming from the vehicle, which was parked near the entrance of the building. The fire was quickly extinguished by the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services.
The suspect, who has not been identified, was arrested at the scene and is facing charges of arson and mischief. He is currently in police custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident and there was no damage to the City Hall building. However, the minivan was completely destroyed.
The motive behind the arson is still unclear, but police are investigating the incident and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
This is not the first time that Vancouver City Hall has been targeted by arson. In 2019, a man set fire to the building’s entrance, causing significant damage.
Mayor Kennedy Stewart released a statement following the incident, expressing his gratitude to the first responders and condemning the act of violence.
“I am deeply disturbed by the incident that occurred at City Hall last night. This type of violence and destruction is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our city,” he said.
The City of Vancouver has increased security measures at City Hall in response to the incident and is working closely with the Vancouver Police Department to ensure the safety of its employees and visitors.
As the investigation continues, the suspect’s motives and potential charges will be determined. The City of Vancouver is urging anyone with information to contact the Vancouver Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
