**Title: Friends of Yaletown Stabbing Suspect Express Shock Over Charges** Friends of Tamara Jean Hamelin, a 35-year-old woman accused of randomly stabbing multiple individuals in Vancouver's Yaletown neighborhood, are struggling to comprehend the recent events. Hamelin was arrested on Monday in the Downtown Eastside, three days after the attacks occurred near David Lam Park on October 10 at around 7:30 a.m. The Vancouver Police Department reported that Hamelin faces one count of assault, with more charges anticipated as the investigation progresses. In total, four people were stabbed, one was physically assaulted, and two others were verbally abused in what authorities describe as a series of unprovoked attacks along the seawall. The victims, which include five men and two women, range in age from 23 to 59. Friends of Hamelin have expressed disbelief at the allegations, stating they do not align with the person they once knew. "She was never a violent type of person," said Amory Pasap, a friend of Hamelin. "She is a kind and caring person who would help her friends when they are in need." However, Roy McKay, who has known Hamelin for 15 years, noted a significant change in her life after she moved from Surrey to the Downtown Eastside in 2019. "Everything went downhill," McKay said, adding that Hamelin began associating with individuals involved in drug use. "I believe the environment changed her." Shane Lightbown, a former coworker of Hamelin's at Groundwork Construction Cleaning, expressed concern about her well-being in recent months. "Her posts on Facebook for a while were about being harassed," Lightbown said. He acknowledged that Hamelin had been through a lot, stating, "It takes a lot for her to get upset." In one Facebook post from April 19, Hamelin wrote, "I can’t breathe here. I’m too high and no one will help me." In another post shared in a community Facebook group, she expressed feelings of paranoia and fear of being targeted. "Beware the stalkers here, beware the forced drug high they do to drive you crazy. I’m being targeted by them. If I disappear, just know what I say is all true. I see them, I know their game, their plan!!!" Maria Catrina, a retired psychiatric nurse and co-founder of Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue, shared her perspective on Hamelin's situation. Catrina first met Hamelin a few years ago when she learned that Hamelin needed assistance with food and a fan for her cat while living in a single-room occupancy hotel. Catrina believes the attack may be linked to an untreated mental health condition. "I feel that this attack was some sort of mental episode based on what she was posting on Facebook," Catrina said. "She is not a violent monster. She is a gentle, sweet girl who has had a very traumatic life." The recent attack has raised concerns about random violence in Vancouver. The Vancouver Police Department reported that stranger attacks peaked between late 2020 and 2021, averaging about 4.2 per day. Since then, the rate has decreased to approximately 1.2 per day in the first half of 2025, attributed to increased public awareness and targeted enforcement. The B.C. Prosecution Service confirmed that Hamelin has been charged with one count of assault and that prosecutors were granted an investigative remand under the Criminal Code, allowing additional time for police to gather evidence. Hamelin is scheduled to appear in provincial court on October 17.