Police have recommended attempted murder charges for a 16-year-old Pemberton male after he allegedly attacked another teenager with a hammer, knife and baseball bat on Saturday, Nov. 9.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., Whistler Pemberton RCMP and Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police responded to a report of an assault in progress at a Balsam Street residence in Pemberton.
The alleged victim, a 16-year-old male, was attacked by another 16-year-old male before fleeing the residence, according to police. Bystanders assisted the seriously injured male, administering emergency first aid. The suspect was arrested by police outside the residence.
Local ski patroller Chris Hedges heard the alleged victim's "gruesome, blood-curdling screams" from his home, and exited to find the teenager "covered head-to-toe in blood" before beginning to administer emergency first aid.
"I was utterly blown away at what happened," he said. "It was right out of a horror movie when I saw the (alleged victim). I've dealt with trauma a long time on the hill and I've never seen anyone look that bad."
Hedges believes that if it weren't for the help the victim received from all of those who stepped in, the outcome may have been tragic.
He also indicated the alleged assailant appeared "confused or not with it" following the reported attack.
The injured male was taken to the Pemberton Health Centre before being transferred to a Lower Mainland hospital. He has since been released. Whistler RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair said the victim's injuries were "consistent with being hit with a hammer, hit with a baseball bat and stabbed."
Minutes before officers received the call of an assault in progress, a complainant reported suspicious activity seen at the residence of the suspect, who was allegedly observed digging a hole in the backyard. Upon investigating, police found tarps and a large hole dug behind the residence.
These findings, along with the extent of the injuries and weapons used, were "contributing factors" in police recommending attempted murder charges for the teen, according to LeClair.
The two Pemberton teenagers have known each other "for some time," LeClair said, though he would not comment on a possible motive for the brutal attack, saying only that officers are exploring "a multitude of different possibilities."
In a release, police extended thanks to the members of the public who intervened in this incident and provided emergency first aid to the victim.
The suspect, a Pemberton resident, was held in custody and appeared in North Vancouver Provincial Court on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The investigation is ongoing.
Beer lover and alleged thief leaves ID at scene of crime
A pub along the Village Stroll was broken into early Saturday, Nov. 9, and police have located a suspect after she left her wallet at the scene of the crime.
Police attended the scene in the early morning hours after an alarm was tripped, and found the front door unlocked, smashed glass, broken bottles and spilled beer.
Whistler RCMP believes the suspect's point of entry to be an unlocked patio window located next to the bar. Police swabbed for DNA after blood was located in several areas.
A 20-year-old Surrey female matching the identification found in the wallet was located outside the bar by police. She had injuries to her hands consistent with being cut by glass, and was taken to the health care centre.
"We've got some pretty strong circumstantial evidence with her being located near the scene, but I think we'll have to wait for the DNA results to come back and we'll look at charging with her break and enter and mischief," said Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair.
Thefts on Spearhead Drive could be related
Electronics were reported stolen from a strata building on Spearhead Drive on Sunday, Nov. 10.
The strata management room was broken into, with several two-way radios and an iPod reported stolen. A strata key used to open unit owners' ski and bike locker rooms was also taken, police said.
Around $1,200 worth of valuables was reported stolen from a vehicle located in the building's parking garage the same day. The vehicle's owner advised that several Christmas presents and bed sheets were taken through a smashed rear window.
The incident remains under investigation.
In an incident that LeClair said is "possibly related," three Mac laptops were reported stolen Sunday night from a residence also located on Spearhead Drive.
Police attended the scene and spoke with the home's occupants, who said they left the room forgetting to lock a rear patio door.
The laptops' serial numbers have been provided to police to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Man trails suspect after observing alleged car theft in progress
Police are on the lookout for an alleged car jacker after receiving a report of a stolen vehicle on Monday, Nov. 11.
The complainant told police he left his vehicle running and unattended while he entered his home, only to return soon after to find a man stealing his truck. The complainant entered a second vehicle and pursued the suspect. The reported thief crashed the stolen vehicle into a ditch and fled.
Officers brought in a dog to track the suspect, but he has not yet been located.
