A mother and daughter are two of four people facing charges in connection to the beating and robbery of two homeless men in Penticton last week.
RCMP Cst. James Grandy said an altercation broke out among a group of people known to each other in the Ellis Street area of downtown Penticton on March 14 around 8 p.m.
One of the victims was stabbed and both men suffered serious injuries related to the physical confrontation. Several valuables were also stolen.
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“All of these people involved, the victims and the accused, all knew each other and I think maybe it was a disagreement that turned into a robbery situation,” Grandy said on Thursday.
Four people are facing robbery charges, including 41-year-old Christina Chappell and her 20-year-old daughter, Samantha.
Prolific offender Kevin Walter-Hughes, 50, is also facing charges of assault with a weapon and aggravated assault. Kaleb Royer, 27, is charged with two counts of robbery.
‘It’s always disappointing that anybody would attack another vulnerable human being like that,” said homeless advocate Kristine Shepherd, who hosts dinners in Nanaimo Square every Monday night.
Shephard says the homeless are often dehumanized, but people shouldn’t turn a blind eye.
“I think there is definitely a stigma. Facebook pages feed into that. You hear words like intimidating. I bring my daughters down here; they are not intimidating, and these people are just having a rough patch,” she said.
Walter-Hughes remains in custody and his three-co accused have been released on bail.