WATCH A CHEK NEWS EXCLUSIVE: The suspect in a violent rampage in downtown Victoria was seen in surveillance video from Wednesday night. The man allegedly injured at least six people over a span of eight city blocks with a field hockey stick. He was Tasered and taken into custody.
Six people were sent to hospital and one man was arrested after a series of assaults with a field hockey stick in downtown Victoria Wednesday night.
We're investigating after multiple assaults in downtown Victoria last night. One person is in custody and our investigation is ongoing. More information is expected to be released later today. #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) May 17, 2018
Police were called to Pandora Avenue and Store Street after they received a report of an assault at 9:45 p.m. While officers were following up on that report, VicPD received multiple 911 calls of a man hitting people with a weapon. Police said the suspect also damaged property as he moved through the downtown area. He was arrested around 10 p.m. at Douglas and Humboldt streets. A Taser was used during the arrest.
According to witnesses, the man hit people with a field hockey stick.
“I heard a big smack then i turned and there was a guy running across the street yelling help at the top of his lungs and then another gentleman coming towards me with a field hockey stick,” said Rachel Wams who was working nearby.
“There’s lots of reports of what it was,” Victoria police spokesman Matt Rutherford said. “We’re saying a stick at this point and we’re not releasing exactly what it was.”
Police said multiple victims were identified, all suffering non-life-threatening injuries. The Provincial Health Services Authority said six people were sent to hospital.
Police are recommending several charges against the man, including:
- Two counts of aggravated assault
- Three counts of assault causing bodily harm
- Five counts of assault with a weapon
- One count of mischief
- Several counts of breach of probation
Rutherford said the man was wanted on a warrant out of Vancouver and was known to police. He also said that police believe the man was connected to another assault near the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
“He didn’t say anything to me, he didn’t look like he was under the influence at all, he wasn’t wobbling, he looked me dead in the eye, no remorse at all,” said Wams.
Any witnesses who were in the area of the assaults including the 500-block of Fisgard Street, Store and Wharf streets from Fisgard to Broughton, the corner of Government and View streets and the corner of Government and Broughton streets to contact VicPD at 250-995-7654. Police would also like to speak to any victims of the assault or anyone whose property was damaged who has not come forward.
Anyone wishing to report anonymously can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
With files from the Times Colonist.
Police responding to reports of multiple assaults in Victoria Wednesday night. Photo courtesy Times Colonist/Katherine Teng.
Andy Neal
