It was Vancouver's first riot since , when the Rolling Stones American Tour led to confrontations between the police and 2, outside the Pacific Coliseum.
After the NHL game ended, an estimated 50, to 70, individuals converged upon Downtown Vancouver. The gathering developed into a riot at Robson and Thurlow Street, after an accident involving a man who fell from telephone pole wires into the crowd below.
The police, who were on bicycles, attempted to escort paramedics into the crowd. When members of the crowd attempted to take a bicycle from one constable, police retreated and warned the crowd to disperse. Shortly after the riot squad congregated on Thurlow St. Windows of many major retailers along Robson were broken, including an Eaton's department store which had more than 50 smashed.
The storefronts were eventually guarded by a constable as police regained control of the streets. Tear gas wafted through the open windows of West End residents that night. Paul's Hospital responded to the situation by placing guards at the emergency room entrance to prevent tear gas victims from entering, claiming there was nothing that could be done for them.
Eventually, as reported in The New York Times , bowls with water were placed outside by the security guards for those suffering from tear gas. Subduing the crowd required the direct involvement of over officers, of the Vancouver Police Department and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Numerous individuals were arrested and charged, including Christopher Mossie who started the whole thing, and up to people were injured.
