Nanaimo RCMP officers had a significant portion of Maffeo Sutton park closed off early Tuesday, Aug. 6 in connection with a homicide investigation. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

serious crime

Apparent random stabbing at Maffeo Sutton Park triggers homicide investigation

Sep 6, 2022 | 10:56 AM

NANAIMO — Local Mounties have opened the city’s fourth homicide investigation of the year after a stabbing along Nanaimo’s waterfront.

Two people, a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy are in police custody in connection to the incident which occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Monday, Sep. 5.

Officers were initially called to the park after a group of people were intimidating a security guard, according to police. The group fled but while police were looking for them, officers discovered the victim, a 29-year-old man from Nanaimo, along with a friend who had been bear sprayed.

“EHS attended and transported the injured man to the Nanaimo hospital where he was pronounced deceased,” Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said. “The other man, age 22, was treated for the effects of the bear spray and did not require hospitalization.”

The attack is believed to be random.

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“At this point we are satisfied there was no connection between the victim and the suspects. As to why the suspects would do this? That will form the basis of our investigation,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The two arrested were taken into police custody without incident a short time later nearby, while police say a third person of interest has been identified but not yet located.

An investigation continues and anyone with information is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754 -2345, quoting file number 2022-31326.

Nanaimo RCMP members had a significant area of the park cordoned off early Tuesday, Sep. 6, encompassing the entire playground area, the Lions Pavillion and green space in the northern half of the park.

Approximately six officers were visibly fanned out around the park, not focusing on one particular area.

Police maintained a presence in the park until around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, before re-opening the area to the public.

The ferry to Saysutshun, which was temporarily re-located to the nearby Walking/Fishing Pier, also returned to more normal operation.

Police maintained a presence in Maffeo Sutton Park, focused around the playground and northern greenspace sections, early Tuesday morning. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The incident marks the fourth homicide in Nanaimo so far this year.

In February, an employee of the Buzz Coffee House was killed in an apparently random attack just prior to the store opening.

The man accused of the murder, James Carey Turok, was declared fit to stand trial in April and remains in custody.

A woman, 40-year-old Denise Allick, was found in a south Nanaimo home in late June after officers were called for a late night disturbance.

Police quickly apprehended Simon James Baker, 21, who was promptly charged him with second degree murder.

He has yet to enter a plea and remains behind bars.

Most recently, the body of 40-year-old Trevor Lawrence Stross was discovered in the wreckage of a south end house fire in mid-August.

No arrests or charges have been laid regarding that incident.

Charges of first degree murder and interfering with a body were applied in early March against Paris Jayanne Laroche in connection with the 2021 investigation into the disappearance of Sidney Mantee.

Police tape extended around Swy-A-Lana lagoon and most of the northern portion of the park. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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