British Columbia

Edmonton man Abdi Hirsi identified as man shot by Vancouver police

The man who died following a police shooting in Vancouver on April 9 has been identified as Abdi Gani Mahamud Hirsi, aged 26, from Edmonton, Alberta.

Police say attempts to subdue Hirsi with less lethal methods failed to prevent 3rd stabbing

Tense DTES stand-off caught on videos

10 years ago
Duration 2:17
Vigil held for man killed by Vancouver police

The man who died during a police shooting in Vancouver on April 9 has been identified as Abdi Gani Mahamud Hirsi, aged 26, from Edmonton, Alberta.

The B.C. Coroners Service has confirmed Hirsi was shot during an encounter with Vancouver Police near the intersection of Hastings and Gore Streets in the downtown east side of Vancouver.

Members of the Somali community have protested the shooting, saying police could used other means to subdue Hirsi.

They are have announced they plan to hold a funeral for Hirsi at the B.C. Muslim Association Mosque at 7220 124 St., in Surrey Tuesday at 1:20 p.m. PT.

That will be followed by a candlelight vigil in front of First United Church on East Hastings near Gore Avenue at 5:00 p.m. Hirsi's mother and family will attend the funeral and the candlelight vigil, said organizers.

Stabbing rampage left 3 injured

Police say they shot and killed Hirsi during a stabbing rampage after he refused to drop his knife and began stabbing a woman right in front of them.
Police shot and killed a man on the Downtown Eastside April 9 after he went on a stabbing spree. (Chantal Bellrichard/CBC)

According to police, officers first tried to subdue the man by firing bean-bag rounds at him, but then said they shot him after he randomly began stabbing a woman

The woman was hospitalized in critical condition, while the two other victims were treated for non life-threatening injuries.

The Independent Investigations Office is looking into the shooting death and has collected security video that captured images of the man killed fighting with — and ultimately stabbing — two of his victims. 

Several videos have been posted online showing the tense situation between police and the man with the knife from different angles.