A 21-year-old Good Samaritan is recovering at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital after being stabbed twice in an early morning brawl Saturday.
The Nanaimo RCMP say the 21-year-old was stabbed in the back and abdomen after coming to the rescue of a 27-year-old man being beaten by two young adult males Saturday. The 27-year-old had refused to hand over more than one cigarette, prompting the attack, police say.
Both victims were hospitalized with stab wounds. The 27-year-old was recently released.
Police say they have arrested one male, a 21-year-old Nanaimo man found near where the attack happened at Albert Street and Victoria Crescent. They continue to search for a second 21-year-old suspect, but say they do not believe he is a danger to the public.
The stabbings were reportedly the result of what appears to be an “instigated incident” over cigarettes, said Const. Kate Mooney with the Nanaimo RCMP.
The suspect is not likely “going around ... looking for more trouble.”
Police say the 27-year-old victime was mouthy toward his attackers and their reaction was to fight him.
A witness to the fight flagged down a Nanaimo RCMP constable who was patrolling the area around 3:30 a.m.
The wounded Good Samaritan had to undergo surgery and will remain in the hospital for another week, according to police.
They commend his actions but say it’s never a good idea for people to get involved in a brawl.
This is the second incident this month where a knife has been wielded. In mid-July, two men in their 20s assaulted and robbed teenagers near Woodlands Secondary School. One boy reportedly had a knife held to his throat.
The two incidents are not believed to be connected. Mooney says while it’s concerning knives have been used in two separate attacks, there is no trend.
The 21-year-old man arrested appeared in court Monday on recommended charges of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or Crime Stoppers at 250-222-8477 or online at www.crimestoppers.com.