VANCOUVER - One person was rushed to hospital Monday after a stabbing in Chinatown.

Witnesses say the violence broke out at International Village Mall just after 5:30 p.m.

"One person has been stabbed and was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries," said Sgt. Aaron Roed, of the Vancouver Police Department

Roed said police will not be releasing any information about the victim or the person taken into custody at this time.

Access to the mall was blocked for several hours as was the intersection near Keefer and Abbott streets.

Erin Johns was working at the Starbucks just steps away when the violence brokeout.

"I heard someone calling for help and I heard other people saying somebody help him. And I just saw people rushing to help somebody who was sitting down there."

A trail of blood could be seen on the sidewalk and inside the entrance of the mall.

"There was a big crowd around him and I think he was carried away on a stretcher,” said Johns.

CTV News Vancouver crews witnessed a middle aged man being arrested in the area, but it's not confirmed this was in connection to the stabbing incident.

His hands were cuffed and wrapped in paper.

"Vancouver Police do have on person in custody for the assault. There's no threat to the public at this time,” said Roed.

Officers laid several yellow evidence markers outside an apartment building next to a black baseball cap and a backpack.

The investigation forced surrounding restaurants and the movie theatre to close early.

Customers were allowed to finish movies that had already started, but had to leave using a different exit to avoid entering the crime scene.

"Movie ended, everybody's just leaving the theatre. It was really dead up there, couldn't figure out why,” said Bobbie Bees, a moviegoer.

The normally bustling area has been plagued with violence in recent months.

Police responded to three shootings in just 15 hours back in September.

Locals say police tape has become the new norm.

"It's not an overly dangerous part of town, but something like this is kind of disturbing,” said Bees.

Police said it's too soon to determine a motive, but the area has dozens of security cameras that are expected to assist in the investigation.

VPD is asking any witnesses to come forward.