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Man needs surgery after being slashed in face with box cutter downtown Kelowna

Slashing attack downtown

Police in Kelowna say the slashing of a man with a box cutter downtown illustrates the challenges the community is facing in dealing with "street-entrenched" individuals.

RCMP say they were called to the 300 block of Queensway at about 1:55 a.m. on Tuesday for a report of a man who was hurt in an altercation with two other men.

Officers arrived to find a man bleeding profusely from a deep slash wound across the face. The victim, who is known to police, was uncooperative and refused to identify himself or provide a statement.

He was rushed to Kelowna General Hospital and was treated for a damaged artery. He is expected to survive but will require further surgery later today.

Officers followed a blood trail to the Stuart Park washroom area, where the assault took place.

Surveillance cameras captured the two suspects — one left the scene on a bike while the other left in a vehicle.

Officers were able to identify one of the suspects, who is also well known to police in Kelowna. He was located a few blocks away and arrested.

“This once again demonstrates the challenges officers face when dealing with street entrenched individuals who suffer with mental health and substance use challenges” said Const. Mike Della-Paolera with the Kelowna RCMP.

Kelowna RCMP are still attempting to identify the second suspect and we are asking for the public's assistance.

If you witnessed this altercation or have dash cam video from around that time you are asked to either call the Kelowna RCMP non- emergency number at (250)762-3300 or you can report anonymously with the Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers 1-(800) 222-TIPS (4477).

RCMP believe this is an isolated incident and there are no concerns for the safety of others.



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