Woman ‘clings to life’ after fake cops attack

VANCOUVER — Police say a Vancouver senior is “clinging to life” after being attacked by two men she believed were police officers.

Sgt. Steve Addison says the 78year-old lives alone in her home and was attacked early Sunday when she opened her door to the men.

Addison says the victim likely lay injured in the home for several hours until police found her in response to a friend’s request for a wellness check.

The woman remains in hospital with what are described as life-threatening injuries. Investigators have not said why the men, believed to be aged between 30 and 50, carried out the assault.

Addison says the department’s nonemergency line can help concerned or doubtful residents identify officers before allowing them into a home.

“All VPD officers, whether in uniform or in civilian clothes, carry individualized police badges, ID cards, and have unique personal identification numbers,” he says in the statement.