UPDATE: Suspect in cab driver stabbing has history of gun and drug offences

KAMLOOPS – Austin Eyres, 19, has been identified as the man who allegedly stabbed a Kami Cabs driver earlier this week.

Eyres is charged with one count of aggravated assault in the Aug. 24 stabbing.

He's expected to seek bail in Kamloops Provincial Court today, Aug. 26, but it's not the first time he's been in the courthouse.

Eyres was charged with possessing an unauthorized firearm, possessing a restricted firearm, careless use or storage of a firearm and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The charges stem from an offence on July 14 of this year, but Crown asked for a stay of proceedings on Aug. 11.

Around 2:00 a.m. Wednesday, RCMP say a cab driver was stabbed by his fare near Pleasant Street and 8 Avenue.

Police released a surveillance video and images of the suspect wanted in connection with the stabbing. 

The cabbie was seriously hurt and remains at Royal Inland Hospital with what police say are "life-threatening" injuries.

General Manager of Kami Cabs, Satinder Mann, confirmed it was one of his drivers.

Mann says a fundraiser will be planned soon for the injured driver.

– This story was updated at 11:05 a.m., Friday Aug. 26, 2016 to include new information from B.C. Court Services.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Ashley Legassic or call 250-319-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.