Vancouver's first homicide of 2020 has occurred as a result of an altercation beside a high-profile homeless camp.

According to Vancouver police, Jesus Cristobal-Esteban, 62, was rushed to hospital on New Year's Day.

This came after he was assaulted near the basketball court at Oppenheimer Park.

The following day, Cristobal-Esteban died of his injuries.

Oppenheimer Park advocates issued a statement saying that he was a daily visitor to the park but not a resident, and its smiling face was well known to everyone there.

"This tragic incident affects a close-knit community, with friends across many spectrums and touching many lives," the advocates stated. "We are all saddened by losing this community member."

Last year, NPA park commissioner Tricia Barker stated publicly that she worried about someone dying in the park if the board didn't seek an injunction to clear out the tent city.

"I'm at a loss of what to say," she tweeted.

https://twitter.com/TriciaBarker49/status/1213269386720464896

Police have not identified a suspect.

Anyone with information is being asked to call homicide detectives at 604-717-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.