Former UBC assistant coach’s social media criticized
Incident at homeless camp included gun
The University of B.C. is distancing itself from former assistant men’s basketball coach Vern Knopp following questions about some of his activity on social media.
A Twitter account called Muted Madness pointed out on Thursday that Knopp had hit the like button on a video posted by conservative comedians the Hodge Twins on June 3 that claims the Black Lives Matter movement is a “leftist lie.”
A number of other Twitter users echoed the criticism of Knopp, who served as head coach Kevin Hanson’s volunteer assistant for the past two decades.
Later on Thursday, he shared a comment on his account, which is set to private: “So I never knew some likes to conservative posts would cause this (sh*t) storm? However my LIKES are those of mine and have nothing to do with UBC! I had told Coach Hanson months ago that I wasn’t returning to UBC but I just not (sic) made it public, only to my family.”
Reached via direct message on Friday, Knopp said he’d told Hanson about his decision in May, as well as some parents on the team, but declined to make further comment.
Later on Thursday, Kavie Toor, UBC Athletics’ managing director, distanced the university from Knopp.
“Vern Knopp’s personal opinions, beliefs and social media endorsements do not represent the ideals and values of the UBC Thunderbirds. Vern Knopp is no longer a member of the Thunderbrids men’s basketball coaching staff,” he tweeted.
On Friday, the university’s athletics department declined to comment further.
The Alma Mater Society, a UBC students’ union, expressed support for the university’s position.
The Vancouver police say two people charged in connection with a violent sexual assault are at large after breaching conditions of their release.
Jason Tapp, 30, and Nicole Edwards, 33, were arrested and charged with 15 counts, including sexual assault, assault, and confinement, in relation to an April incident where a woman was assaulted at gunpoint at the former homeless camp in Oppenheimer Park.
VPD spokesperson Const. Tania Visintins says Tapp and Edwards were released from custody pending a court appearance but are now wanted for breaching their court-imposed conditions after failing to report to their bail supervisor on Tuesday.
The pair were last seen May 29.
The victim of the assault told police she was directed at gunpoint into a tent where she was held against her will, beaten, and sexually assaulted with a weapon for more than 15 hours before she managed to escape.
The VPD arrested Tapp and Edwards on May 2 after executing a search warrant at a Vancouver residence. Visintin says a firearm and “various items associated with the offence” were recovered.
“This was a horrific and violent crime, and the suspects preyed on a vulnerable person,” she said. “We need the public’s help to ensure these two offenders are located.” When asked why two people accused of such a serious offence were released from custody, Visintin said it was a court decision and not a police decision.
“As police we do our best and provide the best product we can to Crown. Crown does what they do and our criminal justice system does what they do, so it is out of our police hands,” she said.
Tapp is described as 6-feet-5 and around 250 pounds with black curly hair and brown eyes. Edwards stands 5-feet-3 and 125 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes, and a “Wahkesh” tattoo on her neck.
Police advise anyone who sees Tapp or Edwards to call 911 immediately.
The Oppenheimer Park homeless camp was dismantled on May 9. A separate tent city has popped up near CRAB Park.
This was a horrific and violent crime ... We need the public’s help to ensure these two offenders are located.” Const. Tania Visintins