UPDATE: The accused in the fatal stabbing that occurred on Friday afternoon in Chemainus has been formally charged. Colin John, 25, has been released from hospital and remains in police custody. He has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 20-year-old Chemainus resident, Derek Descoteau.
John has also been charged with attempted murder stemming from the same incident. A 16-year-old girl from the Cowichan Valley remains in hospital.
The North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are continuing with their investigation into this tragic incident and extend their condolences to the families of the victims," said RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Krista Hobday.
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One man is dead, a teenage girl is in hospital with serious injuries and another man will face charges a following a violent incident on the 2800 block of Caswell Street in Chemainus.
A 20-year-old Chemainus man died of his injuries at the scene and a 16-year-old girl from the Cowichan Valley was transported to hospital with serious injuries, although authorities say she will recover.
The suspect also sustained minor injuries and was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital. He faces charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder.
"The investigation is in its early stages and is continuing, with North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP providing significant resources in all capacities," detachment spokesperson Sgt. Chris Swain said. "Assistance is being given by other specialty forensic and investigative units from RCMP Island District.
"Investigators are in contact with all three families, and our thoughts go to them at this tragic time, especially those experiencing the loss of a loved one."
The incident occurred Friday around 1:45 p.m., according to a homeowner who lives nearby.
The resident said she spoke to a neighbour who said she heard a person calling for help and then assisted the person who appeared to be suffering from knife wounds.
There was at least one man and one woman involved in the incident, she said.
The home where the incident occurred is believed to be occupied by at least two people, but the resident said she didn’t think any children are believed to live there.
Asked if she was fearful for her safety, the neighbour said: “I think it was just a domestic.”
“I don’t know their name. The house has changed hands a few times. It’s been sold three times over the past 10 years,” she said, adding that the people who lived there had been there a few years.
Another area resident said he spoke to the owner of the home where the violent altercation occurred around 5:30 p.m.
He said the homeowner was unaware of what had happened, and that it might have been his son who was most seriously injured in the altercation.
The resident said he believes the homeowner’s son is in his 20s, and he believes two men and a woman were involved in the altercation.
Five or six police cars, and as many as four ambulances responded to the scene, according to the first neighbour. As of 5:45 p.m., there was still a strong police presence at the scene.
The incident took place in a modest, one storey, single family house on Caswell Street, near Josephine Street.