A paramedic was transported to hospital Thursday night after an incident that police say drew nearly 60 bystanders around emergency responders.
In a media release, VicPD said they were called to an incident in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue last night to assist during a call for help from BC Emergency Health Services (EHS) paramedics.
At approximately 7:50 p.m. on July 11th, an ambulance in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue was flagged down for a man in need of medical assistance.
While the individual was being cared for, he attacked one of the paramedics, striking and kicking them in the face. The suspect has been identified as Hayden Hamlyn.
The paramedic fled towards a nearby Victoria fire truck, which was in the area for an unrelated matter, but was pursued by the suspect, who continued to act aggressively towards first responders.
When VicPD officers arrived on scene, they observed the man continuing to exhibit aggressive behaviour, and a crowd of approximately 60 bystanders began to surround the first responders.
Police say the man ignored commands from officers, and a taser was deployed on the suspect.
Hamlyn was then taken into custody and has since been charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm, one count of assault with a weapon, and one count of wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
According to VicPD, the suspect has a history of violence, including a separate attack on a paramedic last month and stabbing a police officer with a needle last year.
After the arrest Thursday night, bystanders in the area became increasingly hostile towards officers, who were highly outnumbered.
Police say officers called for additional resources to gain control of the situation and prevent it from escalating further.
Several police detachments, including additional officers from VicPD, Oak Bay Police, Saanich Police, Central Saanich Police, Sidney North Saanich RCMP, and West Shore RCMP, assisted at the scene.
The injured paramedic was transported to hospital for treatment. Two VicPD officers received minor injuries during the arrest but were not hospitalized.
“While in the process of providing emergency medical treatment, paramedics were assaulted. One paramedic suffered non-life-threatening injuries,” a spokesperson from BC Emergency Health Services said in an email statement to Victoria Buzz.
“Victoria Fire Department firefighters also on scene offered assistance, allowing paramedics to provide emergency medical treatment for their colleague. Around them, the situation evolved and a significant first-responder effort ensued.”
“Our injured paramedic was transported to hospital in stable condition.”
Police said no further information would be released as the investigation continues.
