WOMAN SLASHED WITH MACHETE IN DISPUTE OVER DRUG DEBT

VANCOUVER - A 25-year-old Vancouver woman is in hospital after being
repeatedly slashed with a machete in Oppenheimer Park Tuesday evening.

Const. Howard Chow said the woman was approached about 5 p.m. by a man
asking her to pay off a $100 drug debt. He started slashing her with a
10-inch machete-style knife because she didn't have enough money to
pay him.

Chow said a group of onlookers in the park seemed to be cheering the
attacker on before police arrived at the scene.

A 55-year-old man of no fixed address who is known to police was
arrested and facing charges of assault causing bodily harm, possession
of a dangerous weapon and carrying a concealed weapon. Chow said the
woman's injuries included a bone fracture and deep lacerations on her
arms. No names were released.