Three injured in Nanaimo brawl involving up to 15

Three people were injured in a brawl in Nanaimo early Sunday morning that involved upwards of 15 people. Nanaimo RCMP are looking for the culprits, who might have been associated with an out-of-province lacrosse team visiting for the Senior B lacrosse championships.

The brawl broke out around 2:45 a.m. in the 100-block of Commercial Street, in downtown Nanaimo.

When Mounties arrived, a 25-year-old man was lying on the sidewalk after apparently being assaulted, said Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Const. Gary O’Brien. A 20-year-old man and 20-year-old woman also said they were assaulted.

Several bystanders told police the assaults appeared to be unprovoked. The victims were grabbing a bite to eat after the bars closed and did not know the attackers, O’Brien said.

Alcohol appears to be a factor, he said.

The three injured people were treated at the scene by B.C. Ambulance paramedics.

The assailants fled before police arrived, O’Brien said, but were identified as a man and woman who might have been associated with an out-of-province lacrosse team in Nanaimo competing at the Senior B Lacrosse championships.

Investigators are looking for witnesses to the brawl, particularly anyone who might have video, and are canvassing businesses for security-camera footage.

Anyone with information on the fight is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at nanaimocrimestoppers.com or call 1-800-222-8477.