The man accused of attacking people with a hammer in Vancouver's west end during Pride weekend festivities will likely have to undergo a psychiatric exam - and will remain in police custody.
Khalid Alzghoul appeared in court today, charged with assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon, stemming from a bizarre series of violent hammer attacks on Davie Street Sunday.
The suspect was wearing a black curly wig and carrying an imitation gun during the attacks.
Police say the man they arrested has a history of mental illness.
"There is some history of mental illness... we have had dealings with him," says VPD's Jana McGuiness.
The case follows a call for more services to help the mentally ill -- one that hasn't yet been answered.
Earlier this year, the Vancouver Police released a report showing over one-third of their calls are mental health related and more services are needed.
Mental health workers agree.
"There are people slipping through the cracks," says mental health worker Rudy Small.
Small says ongoing problems include a lack of supportive housing, trained staff and psychiatric beds.
The province referred CTV's calls to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, which gets funding from the government.
The health authority says they're doing the best they can with the funds available, but there are hundreds of people on wait lists for supportive housing. The Health Authority says they can access treatment while they wait.
"Over the past three years we've increased mental health supportive housing by 30 percent," says spokesperson Anna Marie D'Angelo.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber.
