It was a busy scene on Terminal Ave. across from Chick to Sea Express Wednesday afternoon following a shooting that left one woman injured. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

large police response

Shooting in downtown Nanaimo sends one woman to hospital; suspect in custody

Jun 14, 2023 | 4:36 PM

NANAIMO — At least one person is in hospital and another is in custody following a shooting and stabbing in downtown Nanaimo.

Emergency crews were called to 20 Barsby Ave. along the Milestone River shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14.

Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said they received a report of shots fired near a homeless encampment by the old White Spot location at 130 Terminal Ave.

“Members attended (and) found one individual, an adult woman, with injuries, non-life-threatening. That person was taken to hospital. A suspect has been detained. We believe we have the individual who is allegedly responsible for this, and a firearm has been located and seized.”

While police were investigating the shooting, one person was also stabbed, with police clarifying on Thursday, June 15 that the incident occurred on Victoria Rd. near Selby St.

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Injuries to the stabbing victim are minor, according to police, who noted the subject was not cooperative with investigators.

Traffic was delayed along Terminal Ave. in both directions as a large number of emergency responders to the scene just north of the Pearson St. Bridge.

As of 4:30 p.m., traffic was down to one lane in the southbound direction but still flowing.

Emergency crews also had to undergo a tricky rescue from the side of the embankment.

Concerned area resident Lorraine Bell said the gun shot blast was heard by many people in the area.

“We heard this huge, huge bang and we said ‘Jesus that sounds like a gun.”

Leslie Donald, sits on the strata council of a condo building off the end of Prideaux St. on Barsby Ave.

Donald said she has repeatedly called the City’s bylaw department to clean up the mess at several encampments along the river.

“Just more tents, more tents, more violence. After that guy (Clint Smith) was shot there was another incident, two weeks later — all kinds of RCMP, I don’t know if the guy had a knife or a gun, then we don’t hear anything about it. We keep calling and nothing happens.”

Donald said many area residents fear for their safety, while their overall quality of life is suffering as a result of the social disorder along the lower Millstone River.

“The last year its gotten really bad…there’s a lot of criminals there.”

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