By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Homeless man arrested after violent fight in downtown Nanaimo

May 29, 2017 | 5:16 PM

NANAIMO — A homeless man is facing charges after a violent fight left a man unconscious on the street in downtown Nanaimo.

RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said two men left a Nanaimo nightclub around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, May 28 and were confronted by a 38-year-old homeless man. A fight broke out on Commercial St. and when police arrived they found one of the men from the bar unresponsive, lying on the sidewalk with “significant injuries.”

O’Brien said the homeless man was arrested for assault with a weapon a short time later.

“It’s alleged that a knife may have been produced during the assault. (Other charges) include assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats,” O’Brien said.

He said the man arrested was also injured and was taken to hospital.

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O’Brien said police are hoping to follow up on their investigation given how serious the injuries are. “We know there’d be a lot of people spilling out into the streets at that time so we’re hoping somebody, if they saw or heard something, can give us a call.”

He noted violent incidents in downtown Nanaimo when the bars let out are “quite rare,” a direct result of patrols by the bike unit.

“We have enhanced enforcement on the weekend and our objective is to keep people safe…Dealing with situations before they evolve into a situation like this.”

The condition of the man found unconscious is unknown, although O’Brien said he is expected to make a full recovery. The 38-year-old was released and has a court date set for July.

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