A Port Alberni man who was on life support in Victoria General Hospital after a vicious assault has walked out of the facility less than 12 hours after the incident occurred, RCMP Cpl. Jen Allan said.
"He was taken off life support and he got up and walked out on his own. His family told investigators that he is going to be fine," Allan said. "This has investigators puzzled given the condition they were told he was in this morning."
Police responded to calls of an assault at an apartment in the 3800 block of 10th Avenue at approximately 11:30 p.m. Monday July 9, Allan said.
There, police found an unconscious 24-year-old man who had suffered serious head and facial injuries. Emergency personnel transported the victim to West Coast General Hospital, where he was subsequently airlifted to Victoria General Hospital.
As of Tuesday morning, the victim remains on life support, and his status was described as serious, but stable. Several of his teeth were broken but he never had a broken jaw, Allan said.
Police determined from evidence that the suspect was a 16-year-old male from Port Alberni who had fled the scene prior to police’s arrival.
The youth was captured and arrested in the ensuing manhunt at approximately 12:30 a.m. The youth is in custody and police are recommending charges of aggravated assault against him.
The victim and the suspect had been drinking heavily in the apartment for several hours when the pair began fighting, and the incident quickly morphed into a violent assault.
Both men are well known to police, Allan said.
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Edited to reflect victim's condition.