One person dead, another taken to hospital following stabbing in downtown Victoria: police

Victoria police say one person is dead and another was taken to hospital following a stabbing on Pandora Avenue, near Blanshard Street, early Sunday.

Police say around 4 a.m., officers were called to the 700-block of Pandora Avenue in downtown Victoria following a report of a stabbing.

Two residents who live in Cool Aid Society’s housing on Pandora tell CHEK News some people in the building heard part of the altercation.

“There was a lot of squabbling and screaming,” said Lawrence Reed.

John Preston says his friend saw two men arguing behind the bus stop across the street from his apartment window.

“He went to his kitchen and came back and looked out again, and saw one guy lying down in the back of the bus stop,” explained Preston.

According to VicPD, officers arrived at the scene to find one deceased male and another victim, who was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

In a release around noon Sunday, police say one person has been taken into custody, and there is no further risk to the public.

They add that this file is under investigation by the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit, “and further details cannot be shared at this time.”

The stretch of Pandora Avenue has since reopened to traffic, according to VicPD in an update at 5 p.m.

Around 10:20 a.m., police posted to X (formerly Twitter) saying the 700-block “is expected to remain closed until this afternoon.”

A CHEK News cameraperson captured video of officers on scene and the street blocked off with police tape. Crime scene markers and a puddle of blood could be seen on the pavement, across from the Ocean Island Inn and WIN Resale Shop.

Incident disrupts hotel stay

Some people staying at the Ocean Island Inn had to find different accommodations.  

Jessica Haberl was supposed to stay at the hostel Sunday night after attending a local concert. When she returned at 4:30 a.m., police told her that no one was allowed in or out of the building.

Haberl says one of her friends let her stay at their house until she was allowed in the hostel to gather her belongings.

She says the crime scene extended inside the Ocean Island Inn.

“One room on the fourth floor was all cordoned off, and there were a few officers there. That was the most that we could see,” said Haberl.

CHEK News has reached out to BC Emergency Health Services and Ocean Island Inn for information.

Earlier this month, a stabbing attack on Douglas Street near View Street in Victoria raised questions about downtown safety.

The Save our Streets Coalition, which includes the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, is calling on B.C. to step in and fund programs to reduce issues in cities like Victoria.

-with files from CHEK’s Mary Griffin

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