One adult and one youth are in police custody as a result of an overnight fatal stabbing. The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 PM on Monday September 5, 2022, at Maffeo Sutton Park in downtown Nanaimo. The deceased is a 29-year-old man from Nanaimo.
Police were initially called to a report of a group of youths who were intimidating a security guard along the waterfront in downtown Nanaimo. The suspects fled and the security guard was not injured. While officers were conducting foot patrols, one officer just happened upon the stabbing victim and his friend, who had been bear sprayed. The victims were located prior to being able to call 911 for assistance.
EHS attended and transported the stabbing victim to the Nanaimo hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The other man, age 22, was treated for the effects of the bear spray but did not require hospitalization.
Based on descriptors provided, officers located and arrested a 19-year-old man nearby without incident. With the assistance of Police Dog Services, a 17-year-old male was also located a short time later. Both suspects remain in police custody and a third individual has been identified but currently has not been located. No formal charges have been laid and the investigation which is in the preliminary stages, is actively being investigated.
Investigators do not believe there was any connection between the victim and suspects prior to the incident and that the victims were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, said R/Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
