Nanaimo man jailed for fatal Port Place Shopping Centre stabbing

Events leading to the stabbing
An agreed statement of facts outlined Patterson and a friend went toward the casino at Port Place around 6:50 p.m.

Casino security declined to admit Patterson at 6:55 p.m., just minutes before the stabbing, as he refused to allow his bag to be searched.

The guard on duty knew Patterson from “multiple interactions” in the past, according to Crown counsel’s Nick Barber who read the facts of the case into the record.

Security also noted a “clinking” sound in Patterson’s backpack, potentially some sort of utensil.

Patterson left in a hurry and began walking south towards the nearby TD Bank.

The attack occurred in the parking lot after closing time on Jan. 22, 2023, with several evidence and other markers placed by police. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

At the same time, Chiliakhov was sitting outside Port Place Shopping Centre in possession of various drugs, containers and other equipment consistent with trafficking.

An agitated Chiliakhov was seen on video surveillance talking on his cell phone.

He previously told others he was looking for his girlfriend.

Patterson and Chiliakhov met up along Terminal Ave. and were seen interacting near TD Bank, before walking down the vehicle ramp into the Port Place parking lot and out of security camera view at 6:58 p.m.

Seconds later, Chiliakhov was on camera seen running towards the mall’s entrance with a slash wound on his neck.

Patterson, who had no prior criminal record, ran the opposite direction towards Esplanade.

The victim then collapsed inside the mall near London Drugs, pleading for help and for people to call 911 in the presence of horrified onlookers.

RCMP arrived on scene roughly five minutes after the incident with Chiliakhov noted to have a “thready” pulse, as well as fixed and dilated pupils.

Paramedics arrived a short time later, and despite CPR and advanced life-saving actions, Chiliakhov was eventually pronounced dead at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital at 7:44 p.m.

An autopsy performed days later in Victoria confirmed Chiliakhov died as a result of a roughly three-centimetre deep gash caused by a knife along his neck, leading to “massive blood loss”.

The Crown’s Barber said Patterson’s conduct appeared impulsive and without much provocation.

He noted the offender’s post-offence conduct included him ditching the knife in the nearby rail yard and going home to change his clothes.

Patterson was then socializing around Nanaimo, including drinking with friends.

“Although his mental state and how he processes what happened is quite different now than then, at least at the time (he) did not seem to be upset about what had occurred,” Barber told court.

A psychologist’s assessment categorized Patterson as a low to moderate risk of future general violent re-offending, while a “heightened and unmanageable” risk was noted if he returned to alcohol or substance use.

The evaluation, conducted while Patterson was in pre-trial lockup, showed he may have had a persistent depressive disorder in the past.

The report’s author diagnosed Patterson with alcohol and stimulant use disorder (methamphetamine and cocaine), as well as cannabis use disorder.

Mounties had the parking lot in front of Port Place Shopping Centre closed for several hours as they conducted an investigation into the Jan 22, 2023 incident. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Defence Arguments
Defence attorney Kelly Bradshaw provided a more detailed examination of Patterson’s background.

Born and raised in Nanaimo, she said Patterson was considered quite bright at a young age, however emotional abuse from his step-father and physical abuse from a half-brother were the beginning of his downfall.

In about grade eight or nine, Patterson felt lonely and unloved, Bradshaw told court.

“He started to gravitate towards another group of friends that were involved in drinking and using drugs and felt acceptance from that group and pretty soon he was spending a lot time doing drugs and drinking heavily.”

Saying Patterson dealt with depression for most of his life, Bradshaw said his father and grandfather died within two days of each other.

The death of the offender’s best friend from an overdose caused him to further spiral.

Patterson inherited a south Nanaimo home, which attracted negative influences. He eventually lost the home in a tax sale.

Patterson eventually moved into a shed attachment on his mother’s property, Bradshaw said.

“…and using drugs, drinking, not working, going out and onto the streets and that’s where he was living at the time of this incident.”

Bradshaw said extensive rehabilitative programming in the federal penitentiary system should serve Patterson as he attempts to reform his life.

RCMP investigation
Patterson was arrested on Feb. 1 at his home in Nanaimo and has remained in custody ever since.

After initially denying any involvement, Patterson fessed up, contending the stabbing was not planned or intentional.

Patterson told investigators he purchased the knife used in the attack the same day as a tool, not a weapon, and had no intention of hurting anyone.

Immediately prior to the stabbing, court heard Patterson offered to show Chiliakhov the knife as they were walking toward Port Place from the area of TD Bank.

Chiliakhov responded by saying he would stab Patterson if the knife was produced.

Patterson admitted to police during interviews he’d been using methamphetamine and drinking alcohol prior to the incident.

He and the victim were friends with Patterson telling police he was “very sorry” for his actions.

Subsequent searches of Patterson’s home and truck uncovered items stained with blood, while a search of an area indicated by Patterson uncovered the knife used in the incident.

Sentencing
Patterson rose from the prisoner’s box to make a brief statement in court on Wednesday offering an apology to the victim’s family.

“To the family of the victim, I give my sincere apology. Sorry for the harm and grievance I’ve caused you. If I could take it back I would. I hope you accept my apology. Thank you.”

A joint submission accepted by the court from Crown and the defence outlined Patterson’s penalty, which was ultimately accepted by justice Douglas Thompson.

“This homicide happened suddenly and it is impossible to explain other than as an outcome of illicit drug use coinciding with access to a deadly weapon,” justice Thompson said.

Patterson was also handed a 20-year weapons ban upon release and must submit a DNA sample.

Earlier reports on social media claiming Chiliakhov was a security guard at Port Place Shopping Centre were inaccurate, according to police.

Court was told the typical sentencing range for manslaughter cases is four to 15 years behind bars.

An eloquent victim impact statement on behalf of a mother figure of the victim was submitted to the court.

Very little was publicly revealed about Chiliakhov during the sentencing hearing.

Several family members of the offender were present in the courtroom gallery.

He appeared distraught at times and listened intently throughout the hearing.

Patterson had been staying at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre for the past 16 months, while it’s up to Correctional Service of Canada officials to determine where he’ll serve his sentence.

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW

by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Nanaimo man jailed for fatal Port Place Shopping Centre stabbing

More Local News