Vancouver woman 'disappointed' random assault suspect released on bail

A 60-year-old Vancouver woman expressed her disappointment and fear after being randomly assaulted and seeing her alleged attacker released on bail. Bethan Jones was walking in the Downtown Eastside after grocery shopping when a man reportedly confronted her with profanity before punching her.

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I was talking to somebody on my phone; he turned around and he used profanity. Then he’s like right up in my face and then he just slammed right into me.

Jones, who was on her phone at the time, said the man then "slammed right into me." A witness, Luke Gaskin, stated the incident was not a case of self-defense, as the suspect claimed. Gaskin followed the man until police arrested him nearby.

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He was trying to say that she said something to him. She was just trying to explain that she was on her phone and then, yeah, he just clocked her with the right hand.

The suspect, 36-year-old Kurtis Hummer, was charged with assault causing bodily harm. He was released hours later with conditions, including a ban from a specific area of East Hastings Street and no contact with Jones or Gaskin. Hummer has previous convictions for theft, break and enter, and breaching conditions.

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I’m fearful the second time he sees me. It won’t be just one punch; it’ll be more than that.

Jones voiced her concern that Hummer might harm someone else, stating, "I’m fearful the second time he sees me. It won’t be just one punch; it’ll be more than that." She is disappointed with the legal system for releasing him, fearing for her own safety and that of others.

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I’m just afraid he’s going to hurt somebody else.