A man is recovering in a B.C. hospital after he was struck in the head with the blunt edge of an axe.

The assault happened Saturday, Feb. 4, at about 5 p.m., at a bus stop on Front Street near Nanaimo鈥檚 downtown Port Place shopping centre.

鈥淢embers responded, they found an individual, who was conscious and breathing, with a head injury,鈥� said reserve Const. Gary O鈥橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. 鈥淲itnesses reported that two individuals had gotten into an argument. One individual pulled out an axe, struck the other individual with the blunt end of the axe in the back of the head and the suspect took off running.鈥�

The 30-year-old victim was taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. At one point, it was thought he might have to be airlifted to Vancouver or Victoria, but his injury turned out to be treatable at NRGH where he is recovering.

Nanaimo RCMP reported that the 39-year-old suspect has been arrested, is in custody and was scheduled to appear for a bail hearing in provincial court in Nanaimo, Feb. 6.

O鈥橞rien said the victim and the 39-year-old suspect, both of whom are marginalized, unhoused individuals, are known to each other and the incident was witnessed by several people.

RCMP brought a police dog to the scene, but were unable to initially find the suspect or the axe.

鈥淲e know we鈥檝e had some incidents involving violence in the last little while,鈥� O鈥橞rien said. 鈥淥ur members are continuing to have zero tolerance to violence in our community and are working with outreach teams and other community partners to ensure the safety of everybody in our city.鈥�

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chris.bush@nanaimobulletin.com
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