KELOWNA — Police are investigating reports of a weapons complaint at the Greyhound bus depot on Leckie Road in Kelowna on Tuesday.
A 31-year-old man with no fixed address from the Lower Mainland has been arrested and is in custody in relation to the incident.
Police responded to reports of a fight between two men inside the terminal at the bus depot shortly after 7:30 a.m.
“Witnesses reported that one of the men was seen wielding a knife and a pipe as he slashed the other man involved,” said Cst. Jesse O’Donaghey in a news release.
“Staff on site reportedly managed to safely take the knife and pipe away from the suspect.”
O’Donaghey says both the suspect and victim were on a bus which came to Kelowna from Vancouver.
“They had exited the bus and were inside the Kelowna terminal when the alleged assault occurred,” said O’Donaghey.
A witness told Global News the bus arrived to the station and about 10 people got off and entered the depot. That is when the two were reportedly heard arguing before the slashing began.
Get breaking National news
“The victim was slashed in the face but could also have been slashed in the abdomen as he was inspecting under his shirt,” a witness told Global News.
Everyone in the depot fled to the west side of the holding area, according to the witness.
“It happened behind me as I was sitting watching my baby and my father shouted that ‘he has a knife!’ I turned around and saw the young man holding a knife, not pocket but blade style hunting knife, and a short piece of pipe in the other hand. He started backing into the corner of the depot where his belongings were,” according to the witness.
No other members of the public were injured during the incident, according to O’Donaghey.
The victim is a 19-year-old Calgary man who sustained moderate non-life threatening injuries.
“He was transported by Emergency Health Service to the hospital for treatment of a slash wound to his face, as well as a shallow penetration wound to one of his arms and his upper chest,” said O’Donaghey in the release.
Police say the victim has been released from hospital and has continued with his trip.
The suspect was taken into police custody without incident.
“He faces potential charges of assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose,” said O’Donaghey.
Witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are asked to contact Cst. Julius Prommer with Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 or Crime Stoppers.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.