DUNCAN — Sporting a pair of black eyes, Marvin Antoniuk Jr. stood in the prisoner’s box at Duncan Provincial Court on Thursday as he made his first appearance after being charged with the attempted murder of his father, Marvin Antoniuk Sr.

Marvin Antoniuk Jr., 48, allegedly shot his father in the chest with an arrow last Sunday evening at a home on Maple Bay Road. He was arrested at the home that day and has remained in police custody.

His first appearance in court was brief, as defence lawyer Jeffrey Arndt asked for an adjournment until next Tuesday, to allow time to acquire more information about the case from investigators and to look into a forensic psychiatric assessment for his client.

In addition to the black eyes, Antoniuk has a broken nose and is missing two front teeth, Arndt noted.

“I am aware that alcohol was involved in the circumstances,” he told reporters.

The elder Antoniuk, who is in his 70s, was airlifted to Victoria General Hospital, where he was reported to be in critical but stable condition. Arndt said his condition had improved.

“Dad is recovering,” the lawyer said. “He is not in extremis any longer.”

Antoniuk Jr. is expected to appear in court Tuesday morning.

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