A disturbing pattern of violence has emerged in British Columbia as a previously convicted serial attacker faces new charges for assaults committed while on probation, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of the province’s judicial supervision system.
Mohammed Majidpour, who was already serving a probation sentence for a string of random attacks in Vancouver, has been arrested again after allegedly assaulting three women in separate incidents earlier this month. Court records reveal that Majidpour was placed on probation in January following his conviction on seven counts related to a series of unprovoked attacks throughout 2022.
“The recidivism we’re witnessing is deeply concerning,” said criminologist Dr. Amanda Chen from Simon Fraser University. “When individuals commit new violent offenses while under court-ordered supervision, it forces us to examine where our system is failing both the public and the offender.”
According to Vancouver Police Department records, Majidpour’s previous convictions stemmed from seemingly random attacks on strangers, predominantly targeting women. The court had imposed an 18-month probation order that included conditions specifically designed to prevent further incidents, including mandatory psychological assessment and treatment.
The recent alleged attacks occurred in downtown Vancouver between March 3-5, when three women reported being approached without provocation and physically assaulted. Security footage helped investigators identify Majidpour as the suspect, leading to his arrest on March 7.
“Random attacks create a particularly insidious form of public fear,” explained community safety advocate Sophia Williams. “When violence appears unpredictable and unmotivated, it erodes the basic sense of security citizens should feel in public spaces.”
The case has sparked renewed debate among political and justice system officials about how to handle repeat offenders, particularly those demonstrating patterns of random violence. Critics argue that probation alone provides insufficient public protection in cases involving individuals with documented histories of unprovoked attacks.
Provincial Justice Minister Howard Fleming acknowledged the public concern in a statement: “We recognize that cases involving repeat random violence create significant community anxiety. We’re reviewing this case to determine if systemic improvements are needed in our probation monitoring protocols.”
Mental health advocates have also joined the conversation, noting that underlying psychiatric issues often play a role in patterns of random violence. “The justice system must balance accountability with access to meaningful mental health interventions,” said Dr. James Whitman, forensic psychiatrist at the BC Centre for Mental Health and Addiction.
Crown prosecutors have requested that Majidpour be held in custody pending trial on the new charges, citing the apparent escalation in frequency and the failure of previous court orders to prevent reoffending. A bail hearing is scheduled for next week.
As this case unfolds, British Columbians are left wondering: how can our justice system more effectively protect the public while addressing the complex factors that drive random violence, and what changes might prevent similar breakdowns in the supervision of those with demonstrated patterns of unprovoked attacks?
