By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Bystanders save woman, catch suspect in violent stabbing on Nanaimo waterfront

Mar 28, 2019 | 9:44 AM

NANAIMO — A Nanaimo woman suffered life-threatening injuries after what police called a violent stabbing along the waterfront walkway.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said the attack happened around 10:15 p.m. on March 27 in the area of the crab dock near Maffeo Sutton Park.

“We arrived on scene and found a victim with numerous stab wounds and a male being restrained on the ground by upwards of five individuals,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

He said a 30-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times and is now in stable condition after receiving life-saving surgery. A 17-year-old male with connections to Nanaimo and the Lower Mainland was arrested and is expected to appear in court Thursday.

“We have not established any relationship between these two people or what instigated this incident. We are exploring the avenue of it being a random attack. It’s rare in our community but sometimes these incidents can happen.”

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O’Brien said the bystanders who jumped in likely saved the woman’s life.

“We want to acknowledge the five bystanders who came to her aide. If it wasn’t for their assistance, it may have been worse and she may not have even survived her injuries. They, without hesitation, jumped in and restrained that individual and held him until our officers arrived. Outstanding effort on their part.”

At least a dozen police cruisers responded to the scene and Mounties blocked off access to the area for several hours into early Thursday. Forensic investigators in white suits combed a scene and numerous yellow evidence markers were scattered around a shopping cart filled with items on the walkway between Swy-A-Lana Lagoon and the Pacifica building.

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