While trying to protect his store from a man intending to intrude, the owner of Giant Bicycles (631 Yates St.) was assaulted Sunday, June 29, at approximately 6:06 p.m.
Victoria Police Department (VicPD) responded to the incident and confirmed that business owner Tyson Schley sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
He was treated at the scene and then transported to hospital by BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS).
Schley shared his experience in a letter sent late to Victoria News on Sunday night.
“I informed him (suspect) the store was closed and asked him to move along so I could finish locking up,” he wrote. “Without warning, he became aggressive and began kicking the front door, attempting to break in or just cause senseless damage.”
Following a brief exchange of words, Schley said the suspect swung a half-full 26-ounce whisky bottle over his arm, fracturing it.
"As I tried to protect my store and deter further damage, an altercation ensued," Schley wrote. "Words were exchanged; he then charged at me and began to try to land punches swinging at anything in an attempt to hurt me. Shortly into the scuffle, he then struck me with a half-full 26-oz whisky bottle. I shielded my head, but the bottle shattered on impact with my arm, fracturing it."
After the incident, two of Schley’s employees chased the suspect on bicycles, working with police to locate him before he was taken to VicPD cells. The suspect, who police say is not believed to be known to the victim, was later released on conditions.
Other incidents on Sunday
VicPD also responded to three other incidents on Sunday.
Around 9:35 a.m., the Victoria Fire Department called VicPD about a man armed with a weapon who was threatening firefighters and blocking their entry to a building in the 700-block of Queens Avenue, where a possible fire was reported.
When officers arrived, they arrested the man. Inside the building, they found another man with serious injuries who was taken to hospital. Major Crime detectives are now investigating, and no further details are available at this time.
Just before 1:30 p.m., officers were called to the 700-block of Courtney Street after someone was seriously injured. Major Crime detectives looked into the situation and confirmed it was not criminal.
Later, around 7:30 p.m., VicPD got reports of another assault with a weapon on the 900-block of Yates Street. Officers from both the patrol and investigative services divisions went to the scene.
Witnesses helped identify a suspect, who was arrested nearby. Police seized a weapon as evidence. BCEHS took the injured man to hospital; his injuries are serious, but he is stable. The male suspect remains in custody and is expected to appear in court later today.
