Police are looking for witnesses after a man was severely assaulted in downtown Nanaimo on Thursday May 11 at about 6:20 p.m. in the area of Wallace/Fitzwilliam streets. Photo was from 6:32 p.m. (Caleb George)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

suspect in custody

Vicious assault in downtown Nanaimo leaves victim with life-threatening injuries, police seek witnesses

May 12, 2023 | 1:22 PM

NANAIMO — Local police are asking for witnesses or video footage following what they are calling a “vicious” assault involving a weapon which left one man with serious life-threatening injuries.

Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said the assault happened on Thursday, May 11 around 6:20 p.m. near the intersection of Wallace and Fitzwilliam streets.

Police were on scene within minutes and found the 38-year-old male victim and transported him to the Nanaimo hospital. He was later airlifted to a hospital in Victoria.

Police were able to find a suspect nearby and arrested him without incident. He’s currently in police holding cells and charges pending against him.

O’Brien said no witnesses could be found on scene.

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“It is a busy intersection and we think somebody may have witnesses it, but they just didnt’ realize what they were seeing at the time, so we need to speak to those people,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Investigators are checking into any potentially valuable surveillance footage.

O’Brien said area dashcam footage could prove to be useful, even if the actual assault wasn’t captured.

“Prior evidence is also sometimes key, it tells if there was any interaction between the two.”

Police aren’t disclosing what kind of weapon was used during the attack, nor could O’Brien expand on the relationship between the victim and accused, who are both Nanaimo men.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345, citing file number: 2023-15745.

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Police are looking for witnesses after a man was severely assaulted in downtown Nanaimo on Thursday May 11 at about 6:20 p.m. in the area of Wallace/Fitzwilliam streets. Photo was from 6:32 p.m. (Caleb George)