Nanaimo RCMP have opened a homicide investigation after a body was discovered at a commercial shopping complex at the corner of Rutherford Rd. and the Island Hwy. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)
HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION

Check well-being call sees homicide investigation opened by Nanaimo RCMP

Feb 12, 2022 | 11:22 AM

NANAIMO — Local Mounties are investigating the first homicide of 2022.

Officers were called out to a commercial complex at the corner of Rutherford Rd. and the Island Hwy around 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12.

Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW officers were attending a check well being call.

“When they arrived on scene, they found a deceased individual. A second individual was located in the business, that person was taken into custody in connection to the homicide.”

No charges have been laid and O’Brien was unable to confirm the names or ages of those involved, only stating the person arrested was an adult male.

Nearly a dozen RCMP officers and vehicles were on scene early Saturday morning continuing the investigation.

Both Reddhart Workwear and Buzz Coffee House were blocked off by police but O’Brien did not clarify which business was involved.

Multiple officers tape off the parking lot in front of Buzz Coffee House on Saturday, Feb. 12 after a body was found at the commercial complex. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

O’Brien said it was too early to say what the relationship between the two people involved was.

“It’s a very preliminary investigation. If there is more information to release, we will most likely tomorrow (Sunday, Feb. 13),” O’Brien said. “At that point we’re maybe in a position to have charges laid but it’s still very early on in the investigation.”

Police believe it to be an isolated incident and there is current no risk to the public.

It’s the sixth active homicide investigation open at the Nanaimo detachment after five suspicious deaths in 2021.

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