DUNCAN, B.C. -- Police are investigating the killing of a man on Christmas Eve in Duncan, B.C.
North Cowichan Duncan RCMP say investigators were called to a report of an assault just before 11 p.m. on Dec. 24 near the intersection of Trunk Road, Canada Avenue and Government Street.
When officers arrived, they found a man and woman, both of whom were injured, according to a news release.
The pair was taken to hospital, where the man died of his injuries, police said.
They said the woman remains in hospital.
A friend of the man, Ian Campbell, tells CTV News Vancouver Island that he was well known in the homeless community.
“I’d just like to keep it discrete right now out of respect to the family,” said Campbell. “It’s terrible and senseless.”
“It is a time when everyone should be safe and snug with their families,” added Campbell.
B.C. RCMP division media relations officer Chris Manseau said the man’s identity is not being released right now as the investigation is ongoing.
“They are still continuing to investigate, always looking for more information and more witnesses,” said Manseau.
“Any community that has an incident like this is going to be shocked by it, of course this close to the holidays, I think this is a tragedy,” said Manseau.
The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has been called to assist, but investigators say they believe this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to the general public.
Police are not yet saying how the man died.
“You gravitate towards towns like this to get away from things like that so, for sure, it is an uneasy feeling,” said Campbell.
A Duncan homeless facility says it is providing counselling services to anyone who needs it during this difficult time.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident that led to the victims' injuries - or who has dash cam or other surveillance video from the area that was taken between 10 and 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve - is asked to contact the VIIMCU information line at 250-380-6211.
With files from the Canadian Press
