Skip to content

Man pleads guilty to murder, assault in B.C. library stabbing spree

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — A man who stabbed numerous people in and around the Lynn Valley Library in North Vancouver two years ago has pleaded guilty to murder and other charges.
20230529140512-94fac64e8d6f5d33b044db0928549b016810c0b12b845fe9690cd7e9af03f576
Members of the RCMP are seen outside of the Lynn Valley Library, in North Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, March 27, 2021. The man who stabbed numerous people in and around the library two years ago has pleaded guilty to murder and other charges. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — A man who stabbed numerous people in and around the Lynn Valley Library in North Vancouver two years ago has pleaded guilty to murder and other charges.

Yannick Bandaogo pleaded guilty in a New Westminster, B.C., court to second-degree murder, several charges of attempted murder and one count of aggravated assault. 

Bandaogo was arrested shortly after the attack in March 2021 near the library where a woman was killed and six other people were hurt. 

The victims ranged in age from 22 to 78. 

Bandaogo, who was originally from Quebec, made his plea in French.

He didn't speak to the court on Monday, other than to answer the judge that he understood the consequences of pleading guilty and giving up his right to a trial. 

The court was given an agreed statement of facts describing the man's rampage that day. 

Police said at the time that Bandaogo didn’t know any of his victims. 

He was treated in hospital after the attack for what police said were self-inflicted wounds. 

Bandaogo will be back in court for sentencing on July 5. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2023. 

Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks