The first attack happened Thursday afternoon outside this Chapters bookstore on Robson Street in downtown Vancouver. (CBC)

Vancouver police are investigating two attacks against women Thursday afternoon in the downtown area.

Const. Jana McGuinness said Friday police are looking for a Middle-Eastern man in his 30s, weighing about 180 pounds.

McGuinness called the two attacks unprovoked and disturbing.

"This is random and this is surprising, and it was particularly violent, and they are rare," McGuinness said. "Unfortunately, two women were left injured."

One victim, Rosanna, who asked CBC News only to use her first name, said a man charged at her when she was leaving a Chapters bookstore on Robson Street with a friend during her lunch break on Thursday.

One victim, Rosanna, who asked CBC News only to use her first name, says she broke her shoulder as result of being pushed to the pavement. (CBC)

"I saw this guy running toward us. Before I knew it, I was knocked down and hit on the ground."

Rosanna said she suffered a broken shoulder as result.

"Now I have to rely on others to get me through this, because I can't even get changed by myself," she said.

The man continued running down Robson Street and punched a second woman in the face, police said.

Francisco Ortiz was on his way to work when he saw a woman, 29, yelling in pain, with her child standing next to her.

"I saw a young lady cry on the floor. She [has] a little kid [who says], 'Mommy, what happened? What happened?' " Ortiz told CBC News on Friday.

Francisco Ortiz witnessed the second attack and offered to help the young mother who was punched in the face. (CBC)

"She was covering her face so I didn't know if she was bleeding or something like that, but she was crying," he said.

People on the street helped the woman, and someone called 911, Ortiz said.

Rosanna said the attack has left her in pain, and said she will always be looking over her shoulder from now on.

"I don't expect a stranger would come up and attack me like that," she said.

"But now, because I have had this terrible experience, when I go out — no matter I am with [a] group or by myself — I have to be very careful and totally alert about what's happening around me."