A man who says he was the victim of a random attack at a Tim Hortons coffee shop in Vancouver has launched an online fundraiser to aid in his recovery.
Miguel Angel Zepeda Machorro, who is a tourist from Mexico, writes in a GoFundMe campaign that he was "attacked through no fault of [his] own" on Saturday, Jan. 22.
"I'm glad the guy is off the streets so he doesn't harm anybody else," said the 25-year-old. "Unfortunately, I've [been] told there's no chance for compensation in this case, please help me."
In Spanish, Machorro describes that he was pierced in three places, including his liver and lung, and that he thought he was going to die. He has limited mobility and hopes to recover in about two months.
On Monday (Jan. 24), Vancouver police released security camera footage of the attack in the hopes the public would recognize the man.
David Richard Morin was arrested by the Emergency Response Team on Tuesday. He has been charged with aggravated assault and remains in custody.
"We don’t know if there was a motive for this attack, and the fact that it appears random and unprovoked is extremely concerning,” says Sgt. Steve Addison in a press release.
The attack follows other recent random attacks and stabbings. Police say they're concerned by the nature of the unprovoked attacks and understand the public's anxiety around the issue.
As of the morning of Jan. 28, the campaign has raised $14,512.
WARNING: Some people may find the following video disturbing.
With files from Brendan Kergin
