A man was stabbed during an altercation near the Bruce Ave. and Fifth St. intersection early Thursday, Nov. 24. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
dangerous situation

‘It’s extremely upsetting:’ man injured in Harewood stabbing arrested for assault with weapon

Nov 25, 2022 | 11:02 AM

NANAIMO — A man stabbed in Harewood early Thursday morning is accused of initiating a violent confrontation and could be charged,

A 32-year-old Nanaimo man who was initially thought to be the victim of a stabbing early Thursday, Nov. 24 on Bruce Ave near Fifth St. was arrested later the same day by RCMP for assault with a weapon.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said video surveillance obtained from several surrounding area businesses clearly showed what happened.

“It became clear to our investigators that the ‘victim’ was not the victim, and had actually initiated the confrontation with a marginalized street person.”

The man is in police custody and has not been formally charged by Crown Counsel, so police are unable to publicly identify him.

The other individual involved in the altercation, who also had at least one knife, suffered only minor injuries, has been identified and is cooperating with police.

Police said the 32-year-old attacker was in possession of at least one knife.

O’Brien said the entire incident is extremely troubling.

“We have a person with diagnosed mental health issues who is going out to find an altercation, initiate an altercation with people living on the street. It’s extremely upsetting.”

Anyone with further details on the incident is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250 754 2345.

Blood stains were present along the sidewalk next to Bruce Ave., just south of Fifth St. after an early morning stabbing. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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