Update (March 6):

Today (March 6), the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) announced that they seized a third stash of weapons in the area of Oppenheimer Park, this time in a nearby residence. Unlike the previous two seizures though, this one was not in the homeless encampment in the park.

Shortly before 1 p.m. on March 4, police received information about a large amount of weapons inside a suite near Dunlevy and East Corvova streets.

Officers using a search warrant seized nine imitation firearms; firearm parts, including barrels; 12-gauge shotgun shells; swords, knives, and hatchets; handmade weapons; a stun baton; bear spray; BB pellets and paintball rounds; and suspected stolen items.

No arrests have been made yet but the investigation is continuing on.

Original article (March 4):

Once again, Vancouver police have issued a warning about violence in a homeless encampment in a Downtown Eastside park.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) issued a news release today (March 4) expressing “concerns about public safety” for community members as well as its officers in Oppenheimer Park.

The VPD stated that on March 4, officers responded to a report of a 32-year-old Vancouver man who sustained minor injuries during an assault in a tent in the park.

A suspect had allegedly struck the man in the face with an axe handle.

Officers located the axe as well as two other axes, six knives, and one bolt cutter inside the tent.

No arrests have been made yet and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

The VPD had previously seized weapons from a communal tent in the park on February 27.

Prior to 3:30 a.m. today, patrol officers notified Vancouver Fire Rescue Services after spotting a tent on fire in the park.

Officers cleared the area for public safety.

The tent was severely damaged due to the explosions of propane and aerosol containers. However, there weren’t any injuries reported.

The VPD stated that no one claimed ownership of the tent.

Earlier today, the VPD announced the arrest of 50-year-old Glen Domenic Martin of Vancouver for the homicide of 62-year-old Jesus Cristobal-Esteban on January 1 in the park.