Times Colonist

2014 Beacon Hill Park stabbing probed

Victoria man seeks public’s help in cracking unprovoked crime that left him for dead

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Major crime detectives are stepping up their investigat­ion of an unprovoked stabbing in Beacon Hill Park that almost killed a Victoria man five years ago.

Officers called to the park near Dallas Road just after midnight on Jan. 12, 2014, found a 48-year-old man with life-threatenin­g stab wounds. The man was taken to hospital, where he remained for 10 days.

The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, is making a public appeal for help.

“I was significan­tly impacted by this, and I still deal with the aftereffec­ts, both physical and emotional, today,” he said.

“I hope that anyone with any informatio­n will come forward.”

The attack took place near a public shelter adjacent to the off-leash dog area on the Dallas Road waterfront trail near Finlayson Point. Robbery was not a motive. At the time, Sgt. Jamie McRae said the attack appeared to be unprovoked.

“We don’t believe there was any interactio­n or communicat­ion between them at all prior to the incident,” McRae said.

The victim was stabbed multiple times and suffered serious injuries.

The attacker fled as two people approached the area. They saw the injured man and immediatel­y called 911. The call likely saved the man’s life, McRae said.

Police have updated a sketch of the suspect.

The attacker is described as white, 20 to 30 years of age with green eyes, short red hair and a short red beard.

The assailant was six feet tall, 200 pounds and physically fit. He was wearing a mustard or greenyello­w hoodie, grey pants and skater or board shoes.

“Investigat­ions such as these typically require that one piece of informatio­n to turn the tide in the investigat­ion and as of today, we have not received that,” Insp. Keith Lindner said.

“We’re confident that someone out there has informatio­n.”

 ?? VICTORIA POLICE DEPARTMENT ?? Police released this updated sketch of the suspect.
VICTORIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Police released this updated sketch of the suspect.

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