A 50-year-old man received minor non-life threatening injuries after an altercation in the Port Place Mall parking lot in Nanaimo.
The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24th outside the Dollarama located at 111-648 Terminal Avenue.
The victim’s wife said she was standing outside her car with her family when the suspect walked by too close to abide by COVID-19 protocols.
Their 25-year-old daughter told the suspect he was too close and should maintain the recommended 6-foot separation.
The suspect proceeded to yell obscenities at her, and then the victim moved toward the suspect and was promptly struck by a metal coffee cup.
A fight broke between the two until the victim was stabbed moments later – 9-1-1 was called and the knife was recovered at the scene by attending police.
Approximately one hour later, information was received that the suspect was on Gabriola Island.
Gabriola Island RCMP officers attended the suspect’s residence and arrested him without incident.
The suspect has been transported to Nanaimo and turned over to RCMP officers.
The suspect was served with an Undertaking for Assault with a Weapon and released from custody.
His first court appearance is set for May 25th.
