'Struck him 3 times': Man arrested after shovel attack in Nanaimo, B.C.
Warning: This story contains graphic video.
Update: On Wednesday afternoon, Nanaimo RCMP said a 30-year-old Nanaimo man had been arrested after an alleged assault with a shovel.
RCMP are recommending a single charge of assault with a weapon.
The man has since been released with a promise to appear in court on April 5.
The original story can be found below:
A woman is in shock after what she witnessed in a McDonald's parking lot in Nanaimo, B.C. on Monday.
Nanaimo RCMP say they are on the lookout for a man following an alleged shovel attack.
"I never imagined that I would see somebody wielding a shovel, chasing a man," said the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous.
"From what I saw, he struck him three times," she said.
The woman that shot the chaotic video showing the attack wants to remain anonymous as the man with the shovel is still at large.
"We’ve had prior contact with him," said Const. Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP on Tuesday.
The 60-year old victim who we are also not identifying was captured on the same cellphone video, and explained how it all started.
"He was pulling out. I gave him a courtesy beep and waved him to come along," the victim told Nanaimo RCMP.
"Then he stopped and he yelled out something," he said. "Then I saw him get out and he had a weapon."
That weapon was a shovel that the witness says he used to hit the victim.
"He chased him and hit him once in the back of the head," said the witness. "Somewhere he made contact on his body, I’m not too sure if it was his hips or his ribs."
"That was when he flew into my car and then he made contact with him again when he was running away from my vehicle," she said.
The victim told police he was taken aback by the incident.
"I got out not knowing he was crazy," said the victim. "Then he was swearing and he pulled a weapon and I thought, 'Oh my gosh,' and he chased me."
Eventually in the video, the man with the shovel can be seen getting back into his car with his three passengers.
"We have the licence plate number, we’ve identified who the driver is and we will be following up with him," said O’Brien.
The driver fled in his vehicle before RCMP arrived. O’Brien says the man could be facing significant charges.
"Assault with a weapon and uttering threats would be the two primary charges that that individual could be looking at," said O’Brien.
The victim will recover and did not require medical attention.
"I think once the adrenaline from the situation wore off, I’m sure he would have felt the pain of each time the shovel struck him," said the witness.
Police are asking that if you see the man in the video, do not approach him and instead call the Nanaimo RCMP.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.