The Victoria Police Department says a BC Emergency Health Services’ paramedic was assaulted while responding to an emergency on Thursday night.
VicPD says at around 7:50 p.m., paramedics were “flagged down” to help a man “in need of medical assistance” along Pandora Avenue, just east of the downtown core.
“While the individual was being cared for, he attacked one of the paramedics, striking and kicking them in the face,” VicPD said in a statement Friday.
“The paramedic fled towards a nearby Victoria Fire truck, which was on scene for an unrelated matter, but was pursued by the suspect who continued to act aggressively towards first responders.”
Police say when officers arrived, “they observed the male continue to exhibit aggressive behaviour” and claim 60 bystanders surrounded them.
“The male ignored commands from officers, and a Conductive Energy Weapon (CEW) was deployed. The male was then placed in custody, where he currently remains pending a court appearance,” police say.
Police say the incident escalated further after the arrest, and more officers were called in to “gain control of the situation.”
The injured paramedic was taken to hospital, police say, and a further two officers were injured, but not hospitalized during the incident.