A chaotic confrontation at Surrey’s Redwood Park that has drawn tens of millions of views online has led to multiple criminal charges against a 37-year-old man.
According to the Surrey Police Service, officers responded to the park Wednesday afternoon after an alleged assault involving a weapon. Police say the suspect rammed a white Ford pickup truck with a Jeep Wrangler before allegedly attacking another man with a knife.
One of the witnesses to the incident was photographer Robin Nuber, who had just arrived at the park for a photoshoot.
“Immediately thought it was a road rage incident, so naturally (I) stopped, heard some yelling,” said Nuber. “And then I heard, ‘He’s got a knife.’”
Nuber was recording the scene from his Tesla when, he says, the victim ran toward him seeking help.
“I had to make the decision to slow down, unlock my car, which I think is probably the scariest part,” he said.
The victim then clung to the side of the vehicle as Nuber reversed away from the scene.
“He was holding on for dear life. I think the police officer said I dragged him for about 100 feet and (he) obviously got some road rash from that,” Nuber recalled.
Video of the incident appears to show the suspect throwing an object into nearby woods before police arrived moments later.
“And then he went and sat down just waiting for the cops to show up because you could hear the sirens already,” said Nuber.
Police arrested the suspect moments later.
On Thursday, Surrey police announced that Richard Mark James Evoy has been charged with multiple Criminal Code offences, including assault with a weapon and criminal harassment.
Police also praised Nuber’s actions during the incident.
“Thankfully, the quick actions and quick thinking and quite frankly the good reverse driving skills of the witness were able to get the victim—who could have suffered some significant injuries, potentially—to safety before our officers were able to get there,” said SPS Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton.
Nuber says the encounter left damage to his Tesla and what appears to be blood inside the vehicle.
“He had cuts on his arm, his shirt was pretty messed up, his teeth were bloody,” Nuber said.
Police have not said what prompted the confrontation, only that the three people involved knew one another.
Nuber says the victim offered his own explanation.
“He said that it was her ex-boyfriend that, you know, he was jealous that they were hanging out together,” Nuber said.
Evoy remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court Monday.
