The downtown Kelowna Queensway bus loop. Police in Kelowna say the mutilation of a man with a box cutter in the city center shows the challenges the community faces in dealing with people who are “entrenched on the street.” RCMP say they were called to the 300 block of Queensway at about 1:55 a.m. Tuesday for a report of a man injured in an altercation with two other men. Officers arrived to find a man bleeding from a deep gash to his face. The victim, who is known to police, was uncooperative and refused to identify himself or give a statement. He was rushed to Kelowna General Hospital and treated for a damaged artery. He is expected to survive but will need further surgery later today. Officers followed a trail of blood to the toilet area in Stewart Park, where the attack took place. Surveillance cameras captured the two suspects — one leaving the scene on a bicycle while the other fled in a vehicle. Officers were able to identify one of the suspects, who is also well known to Kelowna police. He was located a few blocks away and arrested. “This once again demonstrates the challenges officers face when dealing with people on the street suffering from mental health and substance use issues,” said Const. Mike Della-Paolera with the Kelowna RCMP. Kelowna RCMP are still trying to locate the second suspect and are asking for the public’s help. If you witnessed this altercation or have dashcam footage from that time, you’re asked to either call the Kelowna RCMP non-emergency number at (250)762-3300 or report anonymously to 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.
