A shooting victim managed to flag down community safety officers after he was shot in the face in downtown Nanaimo on Saturday night.
A 39-year-old man is in Nanaimo hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Community safety officers were on patrol when they were approached by the victim, who was bleeding heavily from a facial injury. B.C. Emergency Health Services personnel provided emergency care on scene and then transported the victim to the Nanaimo hospital for medical treatment.
RCMP officers temporarily closed off the area surrounding the Coast Bastion Hotel at 11 Bastion Street, to allow investigators time to search the parking lot and surrounding area for forensic evidence.
As of Sunday afternoon police have not identified the assailant, nor located the firearm used.
Anyone who has information about the attack — including video, photos or dash cam images of the area from 7:30 to 8 p.m, on Saturday — are asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
Saturday’s shooting was the second one in a matter of days in Nanaimo.
Another man, Clint Smith, 49, was taken to hospital on March 12 with serious injuries after being shot in the abdomen. His family said his condition is improving.
Smith went with a group of friends to a camping spot by the Millstone River to retrieve items stolen from his auto repair business. A fight broke out and Smith and his group ran up a ravine to escape. Shots were fired across Terminal Avenue.
Smith had three surgeries and was initially in an induced coma and on a ventilator. As of this weekend, he was awake and off the ventilator, his family said. “He is doing well as he can. Long road to recovery but so lucky.”
Smith’s family said they are grateful for the support of the community.
— With files from Carla Wilson
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