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Man wanted in mom and toddler assault in Chinatown back in custody: Vancouver police

The man was wanted B.C.-wide following an assault on a mom and toddler in Chinatown.

A man who was wanted B.C.-wide is now back in custody.

27-year-old Shakwan David Kelly was arrested around 8 a.m. on Keefer Street on July 21 in Chinatown after a witness had recognized him and flagged over a Vancouver police officer who was patrolling the neighbourhood.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) was seeking Kelly province-wide after he had failed to show up in court following an assault on a mom and her toddler in Chinatown. 

He is now back in jail and police are still investigating Kelly’s alleged involvement in several criminal offences that occurred the day of the assault on July 9.

Shortly before the assault, VPD responded to reports of a shirtless man, Kelly, walking in traffic and kicking cars in the area around 10:45 a.m. Kelly allegedly kicked one car so hard that it caused a dent in one of the doors. 

As VPD officers arrived Kelly took off running through Chinatown, striking and knocking over a 40-year-old mother and her toddler who were standing on the south side of East Pender Street near Gore Avenue. The mom struck her head and the child suffered multiple scrapes. 

David Kelly was arrested moments later on Main Street and was initially taken to jail. He was then released from custody after being charged with mischief, assault and obstructing a peace officer and was wanted B.C.-wide after failing to return for his scheduled court appearance on July 12.