Some of the youths present at a stabbing and assault on the Galloping Goose Trail close to the Westshore Town Centre on Friday night were also at an incident where a man was stabbed at a Langford gas station in mid-October, say West Shore RCMP.
While the accused are different in each case, Cpl. Nancy Saggar said, several of the youth involved were at both incidents, and some are not attending school despite being of school age.
“We have identified that several of the youth that were present and witnesses in the crowd of the first stabbing that took place a few weeks ago were also witnesses here at the second,” she said. “So we do know that there is a loose relation.”
Police arrested two youths after the stabbing and assault near the 3000-block of Jacklin Road about 9:50 p.m. on Friday. Officers called to the scene discovered that up to 15 youths ages 14 to 17 were hanging out in the area when two males in the group began arguing.
As one of them was walking away, he was knocked to the ground and assaulted by at least three other males, and suffered a broken nose and abrasions.
While the assault was taking place, one of the main aggressors was stabbed by one of the other youths at the scene. The youth who was stabbed was hospitalized and is expected to recover.
The youth believed to be responsible for the stabbing was identified by police and has been arrested for aggravated assault. Another youth was arrested for assault causing bodily harm in connection with the initial attack.
Saggar said police are still looking to identify other youths involved in the incident. “We are asking youths who witnessed this incident and have not yet spoken to police to please come forward and provide their information.”
She said it was members of the group themselves who called the police.
In mid-October, police were called to the nearby 7-Eleven for a report that several intoxicated youths were waving knives and threatening to stab customers. Two customers were punched by the youths, who then left.
Police were then told that a man had been stabbed at the Esso station across Jacklin Road. They found the injured man and determined that he had also been hit with a baton.
After police released surveillance photos, two youth suspects were identified.
Having two recent incidents involving stabbings is “definitely concerning,” Saggar said, adding investigators are looking into any possible connection to gangs.
“We have received several calls of loitering, that sort of thing happening in relation to this,” she said. “Why are youth out this late? Do their parents know where they’re at?
“Rest assured, whenever we come across youth in this type of situation, their parents were notified.”
Saggar said anyone who sees something out of place that’s alarming should contact police with their concerns.
She said police have a youth liaison officer involved in the investigation and are in communication with local high schools.
Meaghan Yetman, who has lived in the area for about 30 years — since she was a child — said she is very concerned about the recent incidents.
“Probably over the last 10 years with everything growing there’s just more and more stuff like that happening, so I’m definitely hesitant to go on the Galloping Goose now,” she said.
Having five-month-old daughter Aesedai with her makes her even more wary. “As a young family, it’s too bad, it’s disappointing,” Yetman said.
The youths arrested have been released with curfews and have court dates in early January.
Langford Coun. Lillian Szpak called the recent incidents involving youth “shocking,” and said it’s an important topic for the community to address.
Szpak said bylaw staff regularly patrol the Galloping Goose and parks, adding she is a big supporter of the Village Initiative, a network of more than 40 organizations committed to ensuring healthy and thriving children, youth, and families across Sooke and the West Shore.
Call West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 with any information about the Friday assault and stabbing.
