Campbell River father recovering from stab wounds after what family says was a random attack
Colin Dube-Wheat is recovering from a terrifying ordeal. The 21-year-old Campbell River father was stabbed in the heart and lung.
The attack happened in the early hours of July 14 in downtown Campbell River.
His cousin, Jen Fyfe, says Dube-Wheat was walking home from a party. He heard cries for help, saw someone seemingly overdosing, and went to help -- and that’s when he was viciously stabbed by a stranger.
“My family was just stabbed going to help somebody, so it is a lot to process,” said Fyfe Monday.
The Good Samaritan was airlifted to Victoria General Hospital – where he had life-saving open-heart surgery. This weekend he returned home to begin what’s expected to be a slow recovery.
“We’re really grateful for the interventions that everybody did to save his life because it could have gone a lot worse,” said Fyfe.
It’s been a year full of tragedy for Dube-Wheat. His younger brother died, and his family's dog was killed in a house fire.
“It’s been really hard,” Fyfe told CTV News Monday. “You know, you don’t want to see young people struggle.”
Dube-Wheat is engaged. He and his fiancé have a two-year-old daughter. Fyfe has set up a GoFundMe page to support the young family -- because her cousin won’t be able to work for several months and his fiancé will have to take time off work to care for their child.
No arrests have been made in the case. Campbell River RCMP say its major crimes unit is investigating the attack. It says the public isn’t in danger. That’s not a perspective shared, however, by Fyfe, who says the stabbing represents a bigger problem -- escalating violent crime.
“Like that person's out there and they randomly stabbed somebody -- like we gotta talk about this,” said Fyfe. “I am totally alarmed -- I don’t feel like downtown Campbell River is a safe place to be.”
Anyone with information about the crime is urged to contact the police.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fort McMurray evacuees welcomed home Saturday as crews make progress on wildfire
Residents of Fort of McMurray who were displaced over wildfire concerns were told to return home Saturday.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Scottie Scheffler, from the course to jail and back: What to know about his PGA Championship arrest
Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested after police say he dragged an officer while trying to get around the scene of a fatal accident Friday ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Hot weather poses new risk as thousands remain without power after deadly Houston storm
As the Houston area works to clean up and restore power to hundreds of thousands after deadly storms left at least seven people dead, it will do so amid a smog warning and scorching temperatures that could pose health risks.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.