A suspect has been formally charged and remanded into police custody in the wake of an attack that sent two victims, both in their 60s, to hospital in Nanaimo.
RCMP says that 20-year-old Anthony Nielsen of Nanaimo has been formally charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault and two counts of Assault with a Weapon after entering a residence on Northumberland Avenue this weekend and stabbing the couple that lived there.
The incident took place at approximately 7:15 p.m. on Dec. 18, according to Nanaimo RCMP, and Nielsen — who fled the scene following the attack — was arrested by police a short time later at a residence on Boundary Crescent.
The victims, both in their 60s, were treated for multiple stab wounds at the scene and later transported to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for further treatment.
Const. Gary O’Brien, media spokesperson with the Nanaimo RCMP, said in a press release that the victims knew the suspect and that the incident is not tied to recent gun violence in the community.
“Investigators are confident there are no other suspects involved and that this was an isolated incident not connected to the recent gun violence that has occurred in Nanaimo,” said Const. Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
Several neighbours told CHEK News on the weekend that Nielsen had lived with the couple at the residence before. They say the man had been going through a tough time and the couple had previously allowed him to stay at their home.
Nielsen’s next court appearance is set for Wednesday, December 22, 2021, in Nanaimo Provincial Court.
The victims remain in the Nanaimo hospital recovering from their injuries while the investigation is continuing.
CHEK News
