73-year-old seriously hurt after attack at Central Park

Burnaby RCMP say a senior citizen suffered what they describe as lifealtering injuries during an attack in Burnaby’s Central Park.

Police say the unnamed 73-yearold man was walking in Central Park just after 9 p.m. on Sunday evening when he was assaulted.

One witness interviewed in the park Tuesday, who also spoke to police, said he saw the man sitting on a bench in one of the park’s trails Sunday evening. When he returned the same direction 10 minutes later, the man was on the ground covered in blood.

No arrests have been made, but an RCMP news release says witnesses report seeing a young man in the area during the time the assault is believed to have occurred.

He’s believed to be between the ages of 14 and 18 with a slim build and just under six feet tall. He was wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, white shoes and possibly a red cap when he was last seen running toward a nearby SkyTrain station.

Cpl. Michael Kalanj says the senior was initially thought to have been only slightly hurt, but his injuries have been reassessed and are much more serious.

The assault comes one year after 13-year-old Burnaby resident Marrisa Shen was found murdered in the park.

Steve Kozak, who was going to the park for a walk with his wife, said they were a bit more wary of going.

“When we take the side trails and that, you’re kind of always looking over your shoulders, especially since last year,” Kozak said. “I’ve noticed older people generally have been travelling in groups and whatnot. It’s just so sad what happened in both instances.”