The man who died in an early-morning homicide in Rockland on Tuesday has been identified by his partner as Victoria artist Jeremy Gordaneer.
“He touched so so many people with his talent — his gentle genius — his wry sense of humour,” Thea Patterson posted on Facebook. “He was — he is — simply one of the very best ones.”
Gordaneer, son of the late Victoria artist Jim Gordaneer, is one of four people listed as owners of a home on Carberry Gardens that remained behind police tape on Wednesday, as police continued to search the surrounding area. The home is also owned by Gordaneer’s mother and sister.
Brad Muir, chair of Camosun College’s visual arts department, said Gordaneer was an alumni of Camosun’s visual arts diploma program. Mur said the department is “deeply shocked and saddened” by Gordaneer’s death.
“Jeremy’s work, generosity, and spirit has encouraged and inspired many artists within our program. Our deepest empathy and heartfelt support goes out the family and friends of Jeremy,” Muir said.
A large area on Carberry Gardens, just off Fort Street, remained blocked off by police tape as officers continued to investigate the city’s second homicide of the year.
There were several police vehicles outside the home Wednesday and about 10 officers were lined up in the yard behind the home combing through the grass and bushes, and shaking trees.
Officers in white crime-scene suits were standing in the doorway of the home.
Victoria police say officers were called to the home on around 5 a.m. Tuesday and found a man inside with life-threatening injuries.
Officers and paramedics provided first aid, but the man died of his injuries.
No arrests have been made, but VicPD said there’s no indication there’s a risk to the public.
“They’re evaluating that, you know, hour-by-hour and if that changes, we will alert the public without a doubt,” said VicPD spokesman Const. Cam MacIntyre.
Neighbours said Tuesday they heard popping sounds that could have been gunfire, but police are providing few details about what happened and won’t say whether they’ve identified a suspect. MacIntyre said they’re trying to protect the investigation, which is particularly sensitive because no one is in custody.
regan-elliott@timescolonist.com
