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One man was taken to hospital after being stabbed on Thursday, Aug. 13, around 9:20 p.m. at 55 Victoria Rd. in downtown Nanaimo. No arrests have been made, and police are looking for a male person of interest. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Serious injury

Police investigate Nanaimo stabbing

Aug 14, 2026 | 4:29 PM

NANAIMO — A Thursday night stabbing in Nanaimo’s downtown sent one man to hospital with a serious injury.

Emergency crews were called to 55 Victoria Rd. on Thursday, Aug 13 at about 9:20 p.m. to reports of a stabbing.

Nanaimo RCMP operations officer Insp. Donovan Tait told NanaimoNewsNOW no arrests have been made as the investigation continues, but they have identified a male person of interest.

“Last night we responded with the Community Safety Officers (CSO) to a report of a stabbing…there was a male that had been stabbed.”

Tait says they’re still working to determine what happened prior.

“We don’t know at this point. We don’t know if the two men knew each other. A number of people were at the scene and were spoken to by police. Obviously, that work is continuing into today.”

At least six RCMP cruisers, a CSO vehicle, two ambulances and an NFR fire truck were called to Victoria Rd. on Thursday night.
At least six RCMP cruisers, a CSO vehicle, two ambulances and an NFR fire truck were called to Victoria Rd. on Thursday night. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Mounties secured the area with police tape, but the cordoned off area was cleared by early Friday morning.

In a statement to NanaimoNewsNOW, BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) deployed multiple resources to the scene.

“Paramedics provided emergency medical care and transported one patient to hospital in serious condition,” noted Brian Twaites, BCEHS paramedic public information officer.

The location is the former site of the Hub, a daytime/overnight shelter which closed permanently on March 31, with neighbours reporting ‘disturbing and traumatic behaviours’ linked to the location since it opened in January, 2025.

A neighbour, who moved to Victoria Rd. about a year ago, lives directly across from the site, and came home shortly after the incident occurred on Thursday.

They said despite the Hub’s closure, not much has changed in the area.

“It seems like they’re on this side (Victoria) of the street now instead of the other side of the street (Nicol). I myself have called the cops quite a few times for altercations and things that almost looked like stabbings.”

Two men were arrested after a stabbing two blocks away on Victoria Rd. at Milton St. in March.

“I have kids. We live here. It’s fine, you know. I like the neighborhood, but there’s a lot going on…and it would be nice to see a little bit more police action here to avoid this.”

Police remained on scene late into Thursday evening, searching the sidewalks on both sides of Victoria Rd. for evidence.
Police remained on scene late into Thursday evening, searching the sidewalks on both sides of Victoria Rd. for evidence. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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