Saanich police say the man who punched a woman in an unprovoked attack on the Galloping Goose Trail on Aug. 14 may be responsible for a second attack on the same day.
A 26-year-old man has come forward to report an altercation with a group of males in the parking lot at the Red Lion Inn about 4:30 p.m., said Sgt. Steve Eassie.
“The victim and his friend were surrounded by a group of four individuals,” Eassie said.
“One of the group approached him and struck him without provocation directly in the face.”
The two men managed to get away and continued into the nearby Red Lion liquor store.
When they left the store, they were approached by one of the men who had been with the attacker.
“[He] apologized for his friend’s actions, stating that he was intoxicated,” Eassie said. “They decided at that time not to report the incident and simply went on their way.”
Investigators believe the same group of men was involved in an attack on the trail a short time later.
In that attack, a woman walking on the trail behind the Red Lion was punched in the nose about 5 p.m. by a man believed to be in his late teens or early 20s. The assailant was reported to be heading the other way with two people when he suddenly went after the woman.
“The 49-year-old victim has obviously been very shaken up as a result of this incident,” Eassie said.
“We are hoping to receive further information that will lead to the identity of not only the assailant, but also his associates.”
Eassie said police are now going through all of the security footage they can find in the area.
“We have had some limited success so far in obtaining some video surveillance, specifically from the Red Lion Inn.”
Eassie said police would like to hear from anyone with information. He also urged members of the group involved in the attack to come forward.
“It is likely that [they] were not able to control the actions of their friend.”
Saanich police can be contacted at 250-475-4321.
