Nanaimo man stabbed in unprovoked attack involving three youth: police

Four people, including three youths, were arrested after an apparently random stabbing in a Nanaimo parking lot over Labour Day weekend. Two of the suspects were released shortly after their arrests.

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Four people, including three youths, were arrested after an apparently random stabbing in a Nanaimo parking lot over Labour Day weekend. Two of the suspects were released shortly after their arrests, and the custody status of the two remaining suspects remains unclear.

RCMP officers told local media they were called to an apartment building in the 6400 block of Portsmouth Road just after midnight on August 31 after reports of a stabbing.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said a 21-year-old man was found suffering from stab wounds sustained in what they believe was an unprovoked robbery and attack. The 21-year-old has since been released from the hospital.

“The victim was walking to his car in the parking lot of his apartment building when he was approached by these unknown people, and an altercation ensued in which he was stabbed,” O’Brien said.

The victim also had his wallet stolen.

Police arrested four suspects, including a 26-year-old man, a 16-year-old, and two other youths who were released under conditions.

The other two suspects were held in police custody, where they remained pending their appearances in Nanaimo provincial court.

The identities of the three suspects under 18 years old are protected under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and the one adult suspect remains unnamed by police. As such, their custody status remains uncertain at the time of publication.

Authorities said the victim’s wallet was found and returned to him following the arrests.