Vancouver police said the suspect who was armed with a knife and chased people on a city street had been released from prison just five days before his arrest.

The police added that the 46-year-old man may also have been responsible for five other violent attacks downtown on Wednesday.

For his part, Police Chief Adam Palmer said the man was serving a prison sentence for making threats against his family and federal politicians before being released under surveillance on March 15.

A victim of one of the stabbing incidents, a 61-year-old man, was taken to the hospital and treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Palmer also said the suspect was charged with assault with a weapon and making threats and may face other charges, noting that he appears to have mental health issues.