Mounties taped off an area of Woodgrove Centre on Thursday, Feb. 12 after a person was shot the afternoon prior. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

in custody

Youth arrested in Victoria & charged after Nanaimo mall shooting

Feb 16, 2026 | 1:52 PM

NANAIMO — A 17-year-old youth remains in custody following a shooting outside Woodgrove Centre.

The suspect, who cannot be named under the Youth Justice Act, is alleged to have shot a 15-year-old outside the shopping centre’s entrance by the bus loop on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at around 3:30 p.m.

Local Mounties were able to identify the suspect and with help of the Victoria Police Department and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team, took the suspect into custody without incident.

While the suspect remains in custody, Nanaimo RCMP stated “the alleged firearm has not been located and efforts to find it are ongoing.”

The alleged young offender faces a number of charges, including discharging a firearm, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and two firearm possession charges.

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An initial court appearance by the unidentified male transpired on Friday, Feb. 13.

“This was a significant and concerning incident involving youth violence in our community,” Insp. Donovan Tait, operations officer of the Nanaimo RCMP, said in a statement. “The quick response by our officers and with collaboration by VicPD and GVERT, played a crucial role in safely taking the alleged suspect into custody.”

Police said at the time of the incident a confrontation broke out among a group of youth at the mall.

“Bear spray was produced, and in turn, another individual produced a firearm. One [youth] was shot. That person was taken to hospital on their own accord, treated for a non-life-threatening injury and later released.”

While the incident occurred Wednesday, it wasn’t until Thursday morning when the full scope of the shooting unfolded and Mounties found a shell casing.

Several employees of businesses inside the mall were also interviewed by police on Thursday, while the mall’s number three entrance was temporarily closed.

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