'Innocent bystander' mistakenly shot in Vancouver, say police

A man has been charged after another man was mistakenly shot in the face in downtown Vancouver nearly two weeks ago, Vancouver police said Tuesday.

Officers responded to the incident on the night of April 3 near Homer Street and West Pender Street, where they found a 46-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the face. Police said the man was rushed to hospital for treatment.

The victim was not the intended target of the shooting and was in fact "an innocent bystander," according to Insp. Mike Rowe with the Vancouver Police Department major crimes unit.

Vancouver Police Department’s major crime section Insp. Mike Rowe offered his condolences to the shooting victim Tuesday, calling the incident 'traumatic' and 'life changing.' (Ben Nelms/CBC)

"While he's expected to survive, his physical and emotional injuries will be long lasting," Rowe told media Tuesday.

Justin Delaney Littlewolfe, a 32-year-old Vancouver man, has been charged with discharging a firearm and aggravated assault in relation to the shooting.

"My condolences go out to the shooting victim and his loved ones," Rowe said.

"I know this arrest and these charges won't change what has happened to him, but I hope this begins to provide some answers as to what was, without a doubt, an extremely traumatic and life-changing experience."