Victoria Police Chief Del Manak says there is no threat to the public after a man was found dead near Hillside Mall earlySaturday.
“From my understanding of the incident, there is no threat to the public and further updates will be provided by the Vancouver Island major crime unit,” said Chief Manak.
Family and friends have identified the victim as Joe Gauthier.
Joe Gauthier pictured. Photo courtesy of GoFundMe
Victoria police found him after responding to a disturbance call on the 1400-block of Hillside Avenue.
The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) was called in later that day, to investigate the fatal incident.
They are asking any witnesses to come forward.
Unconfirmed reports say that his death was a result of a stabbing.
Two GoFundMe pages have been launched for Gauthier, one to give him “The celebration of life he deserves,” and the other to bring two of Gauthier?s boys and their mother from Saskatchewan to Victoria.
Gauthier?s two other boys are in B.C.
READ MORE: Fundraisers launched for victim of fatal Hillside Avenue incident
Officials have not released any further details.
Anyone who was in the area of the 1400-block of Hillside Ave early Saturday morning, or has any information about the incident, is asked to call the VIIMCU Information line at 250-380-6211 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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