Man stabbed six times as he tries to stop liquor store theft in Courtenay

The Comox Valley Major Crime Unit is investigating following a serious stabbing at a liquor store that happened Friday night in Courtenay.

The victim was a well-liked customer who intervened when some teens were trying to steal from The Mex Liquor store on Ryan Road.

“What surprised me the most wasn’t the fact that they stabbed the man. You know people do terrible things and make terrible mistakes. It was the little remorse they had after the fact and that they were standing right there taunting the victims,” said witness Ryan Lavoie.

Lavoie walked up to the store around 10:45 Friday night just after a customer had been stabbed six times.

The Mex liquor store in Courtenay is shown Sunday, June 12, 2022. (CHEK News)

Just outside the front doors, as the victim was lying on the ground, Lavoie kept two of the teens from advancing again, and they eventually fled.

After, he learned three youth were attempting to steal from the store when a customer intervened and was stabbed.

“I’m pretty traumatized by this and I’m scared for the community. I’m scared for the evil in their hearts that caused retribution in their minds and they shouldn’t be walking around in our community,” said Lavoie.

Comox Valley RCMP confirms officers arrested three youth shortly after the stabbing occurred and the major crime unit is continuing its investigation.

“It’s a shame to see this town especially just going to hell in a hand basket, to be honest,” said Dave Taylor, a friend of the victim.

The victim was 62-year-old Jeff Chapple. He was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital Friday after the stabbing. He’s since undergone surgery and is in stable condition.

“I’m pretty shocked to hear, and then when I heard who it was, it was that much more shocking because he’s just such a great guy,” said Taylor.

Taylor would like to see those involved receive full punishment under the law and says these events have a big impact on people. His ex was stabbed while working at the same liquor store in September 2020.

“Only two days prior to what happened here on Friday she had finally been able to go in here after a year-and-a-half and that was a huge huge step in her recovery,” said Taylor. “This I’m sure is going to be detrimental to her PTSD.”

It’s a crime that will have lasting impacts, though it’s expected Chapple will recover from his injuries.

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