British Columbia

Woman dies after alleged nightclub attack in Vancouver B.C.

A woman who was allegedly assaulted outside a nightclub in downtown Vancouver B.C. early Thursday has died.

The woman's death is Vancouver's 5th homicide, police say

Police officers shut down the Caprice Nightclub on Granville Street after a 28-year-old woman was allegedly attacked outside the club. The woman died Thursday night, police said. (Gian-Paolo Mendoza/CBC)

A woman who was allegedly attacked outside a nightclub in downtown Vancouver B.C. on Thursday morning has died.

The 28-year-old woman suffered critical injuries early on Aug. 11 and died later in the evening, said Vancouver Police Const. Brian Montague in a statement.

Police said the attack, which happened outside the Caprice Nightclub at Granville Street and Smithe Streets, occurred a few minutes after a brief altercation inside the club between the victim and two women.

Montague said witnesses captured parts of the incident using cell phones, though Montague said the footage is disjointed.

The two suspects are age 25 and 29. One is from Vancouver and the other from another B.C. city outside the Lower Mainland. Montague said police don't believe the suspects knew the victim. 

It appears the fight started over a minor incident, he added.

Club staff intervened to stop attack, Montague said, adding the bouncers "are very traumatized."

The two suspects then ran away.

About half an hour later, police said they arrested two women as they got out of a taxi near Hastings and Abbott Streets.

Montague said the two suspects have been interviewed and released. Montague said police don't think the women pose a safety risk.

Police will continue to investigate, awaiting autopsy results.

This woman's death marks Vancouver's fifth homicide police said.

The Caprice club posted a note on Instagram Friday, offering condolences to the victim's family, and adding that "staff are heartbroken over the senseless tragedy."