A 50-year-old man was in custody Monday after a 70-year-old man was seriously injured by an arrow shot from a bow.
The suspect and victim are father and son, said Duncan/North Cowichan Cpl. Jon Stuart in a statement.
Police were summoned Sunday to 1658 Maple Bay Rd., where the phone is listed as belonging to Marvin Antoniuk.
Police arrived to find the older man with an arrow embedded in his chest. He was flown by helicopter to Victoria General Hospital, where on Monday evening he was in critical but stable condition.
The younger man was taken into custody.
There was no indication if the suspect would be charged within the 24-hour limit for holding prisoners, or if he was to be released late Monday.
Stuart didn’t return calls before deadline.
News of the shooting dismayed two executive members of the Cowichan Bowmen archery club.
“It’s really disturbing because we try to promote this as a safe sport,” said club vice-president Roger Walker.
Various kinds of arrows are available, but even a target-shooting arrow could penetrate a man’s chest, said Walker.
Club director Richard Browning said the arrow likely would have a “broadhead” or hunting point on it to puncture a person’s chest.
With 250 members from Greater Victoria to Ladysmith, the club is enjoying newfound popularity thanks to the movies like The Hunger Games.
New members have to satisfy the club’s safety committee that they know what they’re doing before access to the range is granted, Walker said.
Archery equipment is not restricted and no licence is required to purchase it.
smcculloch@timescolonist.com
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