Nanaimo RCMP is investigating following a stabbing Friday evening that happened in the parking lot of The Well Pub on Victoria Avenue.
Police, ambulance and firefighters got called to the stabbing at 6:18 p.m. Several people inside The Well Pub told CHEK News they realized something had happened when people started running out of the pub screaming.
Nolan Decoteau, says he followed them outside, “There was a guy on the ground yelping in pain. Meanwhile, a car comes screeching around the corner picks two people up by the stop sign, all of them were wearing balaclavas and then 15 seconds later a red Mercedez Benz drove off in the same direction squealing its tires.”
“At this point we don’t know what if any relationship existed between them, all we know is that this one person was attacked by upwards of four to five people,” said Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien.
The victim who is in his late 20s suffered what police are calling life-threatening injuries. Investigators are seeking the public’s help.
“We know there are several vehicles involved but we have very little information to go on. We’re hoping the public can fill in the blanks for us,” said O’Brien.
The man was airlifted from Nanaimo Regional General Hospital to a hospital in Victoria.
“It was broad daylight. That doesn’t happen very often in Nanaimo and someone gets stabbed. It’s brutal,” said Decoteau, who says a firetruck and six police vehicles arrived soon after.
“Everyone is feeling shaken,” said Payton Hope who was also inside the pub and ran outside after it happened. “You never expect to see something like that on a Friday night. It’s not something you want to see in your hometown.
Other witnesses don’t believe those involved in the stabbing were inside the pub before it happened.
Anyone with information is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
Kendall Hanson
