Vancouver prostitute shot by pellet gun

Footprints in the snow led officers to a man attempting to break into several businesses in the Commercial Street area.

A Vancouver prostitute is recovering after being shot three times with a pellet gun on Saturday morning, and a 24-year-old man is facing charges.

The sex trade worker was standing on a corner near East Hastings Street and Salisbury Drive around 3 a.m. when a van pulled up and the passenger rolled down the window.

Police say a man inside then shot her repeatedly with the gun, hitting her twice in the chest and once in the neck.

The vehicle sped off and the woman called 911. She was treated at the scene for her injuries but didn't require hospitalization.

Patrol officers found a van matching the description parked on Commercial Drive. Three men were taken into custody and police say the pellet gun was found inside.

Gerald Gbardy, 24, is charged with one count of assault with a weapon. He was not previously known to police.

Gbardy is scheduled to appear in provincial court Oct. 19.

CTV News editorial update: the charges against Gbardy were stayed in 2011.