An alleged unpaid drug debt resulted in a victim being assaulted and the suspect receiving stab wounds Monday.
Nanaimo RCMP say they were called to a home invasion in the 600 block of Seventh Street at about 1:30 p.m. where a 38-year-old man told police he heard a knock, saw the front door burst open and a man enter brandishing a rifle and bear spray.
A struggle ensued and the victim was assaulted with the bear spray and the rifle butt. The rifle was later determined to be empty.
The assault resulted in the suspect receiving several stab wounds to his hands and neck.
The suspect left the residence and drove himself to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for treatment where he was also arrested by the RCMP. He was held in Nanaimo detachment cells to appear in Nanaimo provincial court today (May 12).
Cory Matsen, 29, of Nanaimo, was formally charged in Nanaimo provincial court Tuesday with break-and-enter to commit an indictable offense, three counts of assault with a weapon (bear spray, a rifle and a chair), unlawfully pointing a firearm, use of a firearm while committing an offense and breach of recognizance conditions from a prior conviction, which prohibited the suspect from possessing weapons of any kind.
No charges are being considered against the victim, who did not require hospitalization for his injuries, which amounted to burns to his face from the bear spray and some bruising.