
Kelowna RCMP investigating brutal downtown assault
KELOWNA – A Kelowna man who witnessed a brutal assault by a group of young men on a lone male in downtown Kelowna on the weekend says he feels like he came close to seeing a murder in progress.
“It was five or six guys on one,” the man said, wondering about the extent of his injuries. “They stomped on his head."
The man asked his name not be used because he feared retribution from the assailants.
“They came after me when they saw I was filming it,” he added.
The man said he was on Pandosy Street early Saturday, April 21, around 2 a.m. in downtown Kelowna as the bars were closing when the man was assaulted.
“I was having a hot dog,” he said.
While he did not know what provoked the assault, the man said he’s taking it as a warning.
“That could have been me. It could have been anyone,” he said.
The man said he feels like bar fights are different than they once were.
“I used to like watching a bar fight but it’s not fun watching anymore,” he said. “No scruples anymore. Five on one shouldn’t happen.”
RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey confirmed police are investigating the assault
Police responded to a the assault after the Kelowna Fire Department discovered the injured man, O'Donaghey said, and B.C. Ambulance paramedics were already on scene when police arrived.
O'Donaghey said the victim's injuries are considered non life-threatening and police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the alleged assault or who may have taken video of or still photographs during or immediately afterward.
Witnesses are asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 and cite file #2018-20389.
— This story was updated at 1:55 p.m. Monday, April 23, 2-18 with new information from Kelowna RCMP.
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