One person is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after he was struck with a baseball bat on Bruce Avenue near Dundas Street in Nanaimo.
According to a media release, witnesses told police the suspect approached an 18-year-old man around 5 p.m. on June 5 wearing a mask and carrying a baseball bat, the suspect kicked the victim after hitting him with the bat and then fled the scene with a group of up to five youths.
The release states bystanders provided first aid until emergency responders arrived, BCEHS transported the victim to the Nanaimo Hospital where he was airlifted to Victoria in serious condition.
Nanaimo RCMP, say they seized the vehicle they believed was used in the assault and are currently conducting a forensic investigation on it.
Police say they have identified the registered owner of the vehicle, but no arrests have been made yet.
Reserve constable Gary O’Brien says police are expediting the investigation because of the serious nature of the offense.
“This was a vicious attack carried out in broad daylight which has shocked the community,” he says. “We want to assure people this is a priority investigation and investigators are focused on identifying those responsible to hold them accountable.”
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line.
