UPDATE: One man is dead following an incident on Hillside Ave, the Coroner confirms.
Police are still investigating the fatality near Hillside Mall in Victoria and has cordoned off Belmont Ave. and Hillside Ave.
There are around 10 officers combing the scene, some in uniforms and others in white full-body suits.
Witnesses on scene have told Black Press Media a man was stabbed.
We currently are in the 1400-block of Hillside Ave for a serious incident. There will be traffic disruptions for the rest of the day #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) March 10, 2018
According to Victoria Police Const. Matt Rutherford, the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has been called to the scene. The area will likely be closed for the rest of the day.
Black Press Media has contacted B.C. RCMP for details, but have not heard back at this time.
Hilary Marks, a neighbour nearby, said she knows the victim, who she believes was killed in a drug-related dispute.
“Working in this community with marginalized people, and the drug situation that’s going on with fentanyl and carfentanyl, this shit’s got to stop,” said Marks.
“More goes on when people are sleeping that they don’t know about…He was a lovely kid and he didn’t deserve to die this way. Absolutely not,” said Marks.
“We need more love and compassion in this world.”
More to come.