A Nanaimo Military Museum volunteer was assaulted after asking a group of people to clear space on a public walkway.
Pat Murphy, 82, noticed two women were attempting to make their way up the stairs to the Nanaimo Military Museum shortly before 3 p.m. on Nov. 20. He asked a group of around 10 people, who were sitting on the stairwell, to make room so the two women could pass,
“Suddenly and without warning, Murphy was punched on the left side of his face. He was momentarily stunned, but managed to defend himself by punching and kicking the suspect. This seemed to work as the suspect then left on foot and was last seen running northbound on Front Street,” reads a Nanaimo RCMP release.
A nearby security guard witnessed the incident and called 911. Police responded and looked for the suspect, but were unable to locate him. Murphy declined medical treatment, according to RCMP.
The suspect was described to RCMP as between 20-25 years-old, 5 ft.11 and very thin, with a prominent chin, dark hair and some facial hair. He wore a baseball cap and a grey hoodie with a black jacket over top on the day of the incident.
“This incident is troubling and our detachment is treating it as a priority,” said Const. Gary O’Brien.
Anyone with information on the incident can call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file #2021-43260.
