A man was found with significant injuries on the evening of Thursday, June 4 at 10:20 p.m. in the parking lot of a Nicol St. convenience store. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

ongoing investigation

Unhoused man found with serious injuries in south Nanaimo

Jun 5, 2026 | 10:57 AM

NANAIMO — Local police are hoping the public can help piece together what led to a severe attack against a vulnerable man in the city’s south end.

Nanaimo RCMP Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said the 31-year-old victim was found with significant injuries on the evening of Thursday, June 4, at 10:20 p.m. in the parking lot of a Nicol St. business at Milton St.

Evidence suggests the man was nearby on Victoria Rd. prior, however it’s unclear how or where he was assaulted, Cst. O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

“The circumstances behind how he received his injuries are unknown. We’re looking for dash cam video, anybody in the area who saw anything suspicious, if they heard anything, to give us a call.”

The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment.

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Unhoused man found with serious injuries in south Nanaimo

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Police cordoned off the area around the Fetch Panda convenience store and parking lot following the discovery of the injured Nanaimo man.

A potential motive or whether some type of weapon was used isn’t clear at this time, O’Brien said.

“He can’t speak for himself because of his injuries, at some point he probably will address that, but we’re hoping with our canvassing that we’ll determine what happened.”

O’Brien said investigators have checked for potentially useful surveillance video footage from area businesses but said passing motorists with onboard cameras in the Victoria Rd. and Nicol St. areas from Thursday evening could provide integral information.

“Somebody could have been passing through the area and seen something, but just doesn’t realize it yet, so we’re asking them to check that video footage.”

Anybody with information is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP’s non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.

While the circumstances of this particular incident remain unclear, there have been numerous reported unprovoked attacks on vulnerable men in the downtown Nanaimo area over the past several months.

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by Ian Holmes

Unhoused man found with serious injuries in south Nanaimo

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