At approximately 7 PM on Sunday January 22,2023, Police, Fire and EHS responded to a report of an individual who walked into the Port Place Mall with an apparent stab wound. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Port Place Mall, in the vicinity of London Drugs.

The injured person received emergency first aid at the scene from bystanders and emergency first responders. The victim was transported to the Nanaimo hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. A short time later, an adult male was arrested in connection to the stabbing and taken into police custody. An area of the Mall and parking lot was closed for several hours to allow investigators time to gather and collect forensic evidence. The area was released later that same evening.

"As the investigation is only in the preliminary stages, it is too early to say what if any relationship existed between the victim and suspect. Police can though say though with confidence, that they are not looking for any other suspects and there is no further risk to the public", said R/Cst Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.