Officials responded to a call Friday evening around 5:30 p.m. near the 2100-block of Sooke Road in Colwood after a 58-year-old man was stabbed at a work site in the Metchosin area.
West Shore RCMP Const. Nancy Saggar said two men got into an argument that escalated to physical violence. The two used to work together, but it is currently unknown if they work at the site where the incident occurred.
The victim fled the site and a witness drove him to the parking lot in front of a convenience store on Sooke Road to call for help. RCMP feel the witness and victim travelled far away from the site to avoid further violence and do not believe the parking lot of the convenience store, has anything to do with the incident.
The victim appeared to have wounds on his head, face, abdomen and hands, but was conscious and alert when police arrived on scene. The man was transported to hospital and is in stable condition.
“We do believe the suspect was stabbed in the abdomen probably once, and the other wounds we’re still trying to collect that information and delineate the evidence from there as to how those wounds were received,” Saggar said, noting they defer to medical professionals to determine that information.
The victim identified the 34-year-old suspect to police within minutes of police arrival on scene and the suspect turned himself in. Saggar said the suspect is known to police and has prior convictions of violent offences.
The suspect was arrested for aggravated assault and is still in police custody waiting an appearance in court Saturday afternoon.
“This investigation is still active and members are still working to collect further evidence at the scene,” Saggar said. “The exact location of where the incident took place will not be disclosed at this time.”
West Shore RCMP believe this to be an isolated incident as the two knew each other and feel the public is not at risk.
Multiple witnesses have come forward to provide information to the police. If anyone has information about the incident they are asked to contact West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online victoriacrimestoppers.ca.