Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A man was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a stabbing occurred Monday morning in downtown Victoria. This incident marks the seventh stabbing in the city since March 1, with two of the cases being suspected homicides. Victoria police have classified all the incidents as isolated occurrences.
Details of the Incident
Traffic officers were flagged down around 10:30 a.m. on Monday and informed about a stabbing that took place in the 600-block of Yates Street. Upon arrival, police found a male victim who was promptly given first-aid before being transported to the hospital for further treatment. Forensics officers cordoned off three separate sites to collect evidence related to the incident. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection to the stabbing.
Police Response and Community Safety
Victoria police officials have issued a statement addressing the recent surge in stabbing incidents, emphasizing that while the frequency is concerning, it is not significantly higher than previous years. The department shared a graph illustrating the number of assaults involving a knife in the first quarter of the last four years, with an increase to 20 cases in the same period this year.
In an effort to enhance public safety, the police have ramped up patrols in the downtown core, including foot patrols, to ensure the continued security of Victoria residents and visitors. Authorities urge the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
Previous Stabbing Incidents
On April 1, a fatal stabbing occurred near the intersection of Pandora Avenue and Blanshard Street, resulting in the death of one individual and injuries to another. Robert Henry Travers was charged with aggravated assault in connection to the surviving victim. Subsequently, on April 9, another fatal stabbing took place on Douglas Street near Burnside Road, with the victim identified as Oliver Nicholson. No arrests have been made in this case.
Appeal for Witnesses
Authorities are seeking witnesses to Monday’s stabbing incident and encouraging anyone with relevant information or video footage to come forward. Individuals can contact the Victoria police at 250-995-7654, extension 1, or report anonymously to Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
For any further inquiries or updates on the investigation, please reach out to jbell@timescolonist.com.
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