It’s been nearly a month since Victoria saw its first homicide of the year, following a fatal stabbing on the streets of the city’s downtown.
On March 1st, just before 1:30 a.m., 30-year-old John Dickinson was stabbed in the 500-block of Yates Street and, despite best efforts, succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
Initially, VicPD said detectives and forensic investigators were on scene combing through evidence, as the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit led the investigation.
About half an hour after the incident, around 2 a.m., police identified a suspect, found him shortly later, and then arrested him.
On Tuesday, March 29th, Mohamed Daud Omar, who had a prior criminal record, was charged with second-degree murder in the case.
‘My heart is broken,’ said Dickinson’s sister
John Dickinson was originally from St. Catharines, Ont., and those closest to him described him as the “kindest and gentlest soul.”
“He would give you the shirt off his back,” Brooke Smiley told Victoria Buzz, speaking from Dickinson’s hometown just days after the incident.
“He would do anything for the people he loved, and he was the funniest, most awesome and wonderful human—I swear.”
The tragic death ultimately left Dickinson’s loved ones shocked, saddened and searching for answers.
“My heart is broken,” said Dickinson’s sister, Jasmine Bauer on March 1st.
She’s remembering him as a “hard-working man who loved to work and loved to play” and says he’ll be missed by many.
Bauer often called her brother “Johnny” and following his death set up a GoFundMe, Lost for words, to raise funds to bring his remains home to his mother.
The campaign surpassed expectations, raising $8,000, and in a March 22nd update, Bauer thanked all those who donated.
“I just want everyone to know that Johnny has finally made it safely back to Ontario and is now resting at home with mom. We could not have made this happen without all of you,” wrote Bauer.
“Please continue to keep us in your prayers as there is still an uphill climb coming our way.”
