Skip to content

Update: Police find victim of mall assault

The 33-year-old man was found Sunday when police obtained a search warrant for a home in Salmon Arm.

Members of the Salmon Arm RCMP have now located the victim of an assault that took place Saturday, Nov. 19 in Centenoka Park Mall.

The 33-year-old man was found Sunday when police obtained a search warrant for a home in Salmon Arm, where they had information he would be located. He was found to have non-life threatening injuries from the beating he received from four men, who began hitting him with a golf club outside the Fields store. A knife was also recovered at the scene, and is believed to have been used in the offence.

The unnamed man was taken to Shuswap Lake General Hospital for treatment and has since been released.

On his release from hospital, RCMP arrested the man, as he had an outstanding warrant for being unlawfully at large.

In addition, the man's girlfriend was also arrested, as she punched a police officer in the head while they were searching the home.

Police believe this was a targeted attack and are continuing to ask for the public's help in identifying the perpetrators.

The incident began at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, when police were notified that four First Nations men were beating a Caucasian man with golf clubs inside the mall.

"Police immediately attended the scene which had since been departed by both the suspects and the victim involved," stated Salmon Arm RCMP Cpl. Damon Werrell in a release.

The Forensic Identification Unit, as well as a police dog and handler were called to the scene.

As none of the suspects has been located, police are requesting anyone who witnessed the event to come forward.

"As this incident occurred in the middle of the day, in the plain view of several people, we are particularly interested in obtaining any pictures and/or videos," said Werrell. "We'd also like to hear from anyone who observed the suspects leave the scene and can provide a description of the vehicle they departed in.

Anybody with any information is asked to call the Salmon Arm RCMP at 250-832-6044, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.