Shortly before 7:30am, Oak Bay Police responded to a 911 call from the 2500 block of the Esplanade near Willows Beach in Oak Bay.
Police arrived at the home shortly after the call was received and entered the house to find that a 45-year-old, female resident had suffered significant injuries to her upper body. A suspect had fled the scene.
Oak Bay Police members provided First Aid and were joined in short order to the Oak Bay Fire Department and the Provincial Ambulance Service who took over the medical treatment of the victim.
Officers from Saanich and Victoria Police Departments flooded the scene and helped secure the surrounding area. A comprehensive search of the neighbourhood was conducted with the help of the Saanich Police Canine Unit and numerous officers.
The victim was transported to hospital by ambulance and will require surgery to treat her injuries.
At this time, the investigation is in its preliminary stages and details are sparse. Police do know that a male, unknown to the victim, entered her home. At some point, the victim confronted the male and a struggle ensued. The female suffered injuries from what appears to be an edged weapon of some sort.
With the victim in surgery, police have been unable to speak to her at length and we are unaware of what, if any, motive precipitated this assault.
Officers from Oak Bay, Saanich and Victoria police department remain engaged in this investigation. The Oak Bay Police Department has liaised with Police Detectives, Major Crimes, K9 and Forensic Identification Services from the Saanich Police Department.
In an abundance of caution, the two nearby Elementary Schools were requested to go into a “Lock and Secure” mode. This response involves classes continuing on as normal with doors to the school locked and children contained within the school. There was no indication at any point that the schools were in danger but it was felt to have been a prudent precautionary measure. The Lock and Secure was released around 10:30am.
The assault occurred on a bright, sunny, Tuesday morning along a stretch of beach that is generally quite busy with pedestrians and dog walkers. It is hoped that someone in the area at the time might have noticed something unusual and will call police with that information.
The suspect is described as man, in his 20’s, wearing a brown jacket, dark pants and a base ball cap.
By way of the service agreement that exists between the Oak Bay and Saanich Police Departments regrading the investigation of major crimes, the latter of those two departments will be taking the lead on this investigation with oversight by Oak Bay.
Officers will remain on scene for the foreseeable future as the investigation progresses.
If you have any information in relation to this incident please contact the Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Sgt. Rob Smith
Oak Bay Police Department