Shocking video shows man kicking librarian at Richmond community meeting

By Jesse FerrerasNational Online Journalist  Global News

The Richmond RCMP are investigating an attack on a city librarian that was caught on camera Wednesday night. Video uploaded to YouTube shows a man kicking a woman at an information session about temporary, modular housing and then running away.

A man kicked a librarian at the Richmond Public Library’s Brighouse branch as a community meeting on a planned modular housing project for the city was being held there on Wednesday.

In a video that was uploaded to YouTube, a man could be seen kicking a woman hard enough that she hit the ground.

The man then fled the scene on foot.

Three people in the video attended to the woman and helped her back to her feet.

Richmond RCMP Cpl. Dennis Hwang said police became aware of an incident that happened at the library at around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday night.

An artist’s rendering of a proposed modular supportive housing project at 7300 Elmbridge Way in Richmond.

City of Richmond

The suspect, who is “currently outstanding,” was described as an Asian male in his early to mid-thirties, who was clean shaven and wearing a black puffy three-quarters length winter jacket, dark pants, dark Converse-style sneakers, wearing glasses and possibly carrying a blue backpack.

The victim sustained minor injuries but overall she’s expected to make a full recovery, Hwang added.

Anyone who knows the suspect’s identity has been asked to contact the RCMP.

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Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie called the incident “reprehensible,” though he said it’s not clear whether the man’s actions were related to the housing project.

“Just what this young man’s relation to this consultation is, I guess we’ll find out in due course, but we don’t know that right now,” he said.

People had met at the branch to talk about a three-story modular housing buildingthat’s being planned for a site at 7300 Elmbridge Way.

In a news release issued as part of its “Rapid Response to Homelessness” program, the City of Richmond said, “Homelessness is increasing in Richmond and a quick response is needed to ensure that people are not living outside.”

The project would be located on city-owned land. It would have 40 studio units that would remain in place for up to five years.

“These studios would house people experiencing homelessness in Richmond, while providing the services they need to get back on their feet,” the release said.

The project, if realized, would be built in partnership with BC Housing.

Anyone with feedback on modular housing in Richmond can submit it to the city until March 4.