A sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 2, in Nanaimo attempted to unravel the perplexing incident outside a Portsmouth Rd. apartment complex on the morning of Aug. 31, 2025, just after midnight.

Kyeuno Bao Nguyen Patterson, 26, was handed a two-year jail sentence, followed by two years’ probation, after pleading guilty to aggravated assault for seriously wounding a 21-year-old victim who sustained an extended laceration and substantial blood loss.

An agreed statement of facts outlined by Crown counsel Leanne Mascolo depicted two males with knives approaching the victim as he parked his car in the apartment complex parking lot where he lived.

It wasn’t made clear why Kyeuno Patterson lashed out against a man unknown to him. (Image Credit: Facebook)

The victim happened to be on the phone with his girlfriend prior to the stabbing.

“She heard yelling, she heard ‘give me your f*cking keys, we’ll stab you’.”

The phone conversation then ended.

Despite immediately handing over his keys, the victim was stabbed and his car stolen by the primary offender and three youths.

Those four were arrested shortly after in the getaway vehicle following a traffic stop on the nearby Nanaimo Parkway at Aulds Rd., with Patterson behind the wheel.

“Obviously, this was a terrifying incident for the victim,” Mascolo told court.

The victim managed to phone his girlfriend, who promptly took him to Nanaimo hospital.

Pre-sentence and psychiatric reports were ordered for Patterson, whose criminal record features prior crimes of violence.

He started smoking marijuana at 11-years-old, progressing to cocaine use at the age of 14.

“His clinical profile reflects the interaction of trauma, mood and anxiety symptoms and severe substance misuse,” Mascolo stated in reference to the forensic evaluation.

The expert’s report deemed Patterson a moderate to high risk for future violence, and recommended intensive substance treatment and trauma-focused mental health interventions to help form emotional regulation skills.

A stable and substance-free living environment was also strongly recommended.

The victim reported the incident caused lingering stress and a sense of violation that sticks with him.

He reported ongoing medical issues and pain.

“It’s impacted every part of my life, my health, my peace of mind and my ability to feel safe in my own community,” he wrote in a formally submitted impact statement.

Court was told Patterson had been using drugs for about two days prior to the encounter.

He attended the hearing via video link from the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre, while several family members and his girlfriend attended in-person at Nanaimo Law Courts.

Traumatic childhood

Following an early introduction to marijuana, Patterson’s teenage years featured two significant, highly traumatizing events.

Defence attorney Kelly Bradshaw stated Patterson witnessed his best friend killed while the pair were riding longboards near Cedar Secondary School in January 2014.

Patterson was said to be “inconsolable” and was prescribed various medications as a result, Bradshaw said.

That’s when the cocaine use began, which escalated, Bradshaw reported.

“Things got worse and worse,” Bradshaw outlined, noting Patterson was later kicked out of the home by his stepfather while still in high school.

About two-and-a-half years later, Patterson witnessed his girlfriend being run over by a truck on the Island Highway as the pair attempted to cross between intersections near Woodgrove Centre.

She was taken off life support a few weeks later.

“It had him on a path of substance use and trying to forget, and trying to hide and to not remember and I don’t think we’d be here today if he didn’t witness these two traumatic incidents,” Bradshaw said.

While Patterson is depressed and anxious, Bradshaw said her client has plans to salvage his future, including being a productive stepfather.

Patterson has post-release arrangements to resume his job as a crew member on a fishing boat, while Bradshaw said he also benefits from strong family support.

While ultimately accepting a jointly crafted sentence recommendation, provincial court judge Collen Spier voiced concerns about Patterson’s presentation in the psychiatric probe.

She questioned just how remorseful Patterson is, pointing to getting kicked out of Nanaimo Correctional Centre’s Guthrie rehabilitation program for a positive drug test and making jokes about sniffing drugs.

“If he’s going to be ambivalent to these issues and not recognize the importance and the significance of what he’s done, how do I ensure that just this period of time is what is going to turn him the right way?”

Bradshaw responded, pointing to struggles Patterson has to communicate his views.

“He’s not a person who is readily able to express himself in an appropriate way, and I think he can say that to the court himself.”

Patterson addressed the court, stating he fully regrets the stabbing incident.

“I was going to try to say sorry to the victim, but I have no contact with him, but I’m saying sorry now.”

Judge Spier accepted that Patterson appears to have a level of emotional immaturity and is, in fact, remorseful.

After hearing from Patterson, the judge believes Patterson can succeed once he’s released from jail.

“There’s people here who are going to help to keep him on this path.”

As Patterson has been locked up since the incident, he’s scheduled to be released from jail just before Christmas.

He was also handed two years’ probation with numerous conditions, including a lifetime firearms ban.

Patterson was also ordered to pay the victim $470 in restitution.

Charges against Patterson of assault, uttering threats and resisting arrest in relation to a May 5, 2025 incident in Nanaimo were dropped in exchange for his guilty plea.

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Traffic is moving along Third St. between Howard Ave. and Pine St. after construction began last November, part of the plan to build ‘Complete Streets’ in Nanaimo to create a safer environment for all road users.

Engineering project technologist and project manager Rob Shearer said they took advantage of the needed replacement of aging storm, water, and sewer infrastructure to add surface-level improvements as well.

“(Upgrades) included reconstructed pavement, new and upgraded sidewalks, separated cycling facilities, raised and improved pedestrian crossings, tactile warning surface indicators, renewed traffic signals, LED street lighting, landscaping, street trees, and a rain garden.”

Shearer said sections of the underground sanitary system in the area had “some significant concerns,” with improvements made to keep it usable for area residents for many years to come. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The project had an approved budget of around $7.1 million, with the current final budget forecasted to be around $6.6 million, which includes $459,000 in active provincial grant funding and approximately $1.1 million in development cost charges for eligible growth-related infrastructure improvements.

Final costs will be confirmed later this fall.

Shearer said a few weeks’ worth of “finishing work” remains on Third St., including landscaping, property restoration, and final traffic signal adjustments before the project can be officially closed.

He said once the project is complete, the City will monitor the area to see how the complete street design affects vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, as well as transit movement, and any issues around accessibility and maintenance which may arise.

“If something is not working as intended, the City can make smaller operational or physical adjustments rather than treating the design as fixed forever. But for long-term acceptance, the goal is to see that the corridor is functioning safely and predictably for all users while still doing its job as a transportation route.”

Vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists were already taking advantage of the new layout on Third St. at the Bruce Ave./Pine St. intersection. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Shearer said they don’t have any other major ‘Complete Street’ projects immediately in the works, with the next major project likely to be the reconstruction of Norwell Dr. towards the end of 2027, with concept plans including roundabouts replacing lighted intersections at Departure Bay Rd. and Ross Rd.

“We’ll be delivering some updates on that one fairly soon, including some sort of look at how we can make those roundabouts function, and I think we’ll get to deliver some more details in the next couple of months.”

More details on the Third St. project can be found on the City’s website.

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The Coastal Fire Centre will remove its category one open fire prohibition, more commonly referred to as a campfire ban, at noon on Thursday, Sept. 3, for all areas of Vancouver Island and Coastal B.C.

“Although fire danger ratings have declined throughout much of the Coastal Fire Centre as a result of recent rainfall, along with shorter days, longer nights, and cooler temperatures, the public is encouraged to continue exercising caution with the use of any open fire,” a notice from the Centre read.

Campfires are defined as being no bigger than a half metre by half metre in size, and must be fully extinguished and cool to the touch after use.

Changes to prohibitions only affect land under Coastal Fire Centre jurisdiction, with municipal fire regulations remaining in effect.

For the City of Nanaimo, campfires and all open fires are prohibited in public spaces, including parks and beaches.

Cooking fires are permitted solely for the use of cooking food, while campfires are permitted in designated campgrounds.

The Coastal Fire Centre is maintaining its prohibition on larger open fires for the time being, with fireworks, burn barrels, binary exploding targets, and air curtain burners remaining banned.

“It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with regulations,” the Centre’s notice added. “Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150. They may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.”

Nine fires are listed as burning on Vancouver Island, all considered either being held or under control.

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Ian Vernon Cooper was selling highly toxic illicit drugs to the city’s most vulnerable populations in June of 2024 when local Mounties conducting surveillance intervened near the supportive housing complex at the southern end of Wesley St.

Cooper was caught with over 200 grams of hard street drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and ketamine, amounting to an estimated street value of nearly $20,000.

He also had nearly $2,300 in cash on his person.

Cooper was arrested near the supportive housing complex operated by the mid Island branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association on Wesley St. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

It’s the kind of haul often leading to a federal penitentiary sentence of well over two years, particularly for repeat offenders like Cooper.

An extended decision from veteran B.C Supreme Court Justice Robin Baird for Cooper was made on Monday, Aug. 31 in Nanaimo, which also happened to be International Overdose Awareness Day.

Last fall, Cooper pleaded guilty to three drug trafficking charges, leading to sentencing arguments in June where Crown prosecutor Jenny Rutherford requested a three-year prison sentence, while Cooper’s lawyer, Sarah Runyon, lobbied for a non-custodial punishment.

The 40-year-old offender was handed two years of house arrest, followed by two years’ probation.

Justice Baird outlined Cooper’s unusually successful rise from a drug dealer on Nanaimo’s streets to an inspirational leader in Victoria’s recovery community after being released on bail early last year.

The judge outlined Cooper’s tragic entry into the world dependent on opioids due to his drug addicted mother, leading to a Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder diagnosis.

When Cooper was two years old, his father was sentenced to eight years in prison for armed robbery.

Cooper’s chaotic childhood included a brief stint in foster care before being taken in by his grandparents, whom Cooper described as reasonably stable, but highly functioning alcoholics.

“At age 15, at the suggestion of his grandfather, he moved to Burns Lake to live with his father, who had somehow created the impression to those close to him that he’d beaten his drug addiction and was living a clean and healthy lifestyle; this turned out to be far from the truth,” justice Baird noted.

Cooper was promptly introduced by his father to using and dealing illicit street drugs.

Cooper, a father of four, lived in Prince George for several years, where his addiction issues and criminal lifestyle deepened as a young adult.

His lengthy criminal record includes drugs and weapons offences, crimes of violence and breaching conditions.

The offender reported the need to support his family as a key factor behind his drug trafficking at the time of the Nanaimo bust.

“I should like to make it clear, immediately, that I view this as no excuse or justification for peddling fentanyl and other toxic substances on the streets of Nanaimo where such activity has become a matter of pressing concern, alarm and disgust for all of us,” justice Baird relayed during his decision, which lasted over an hour.

In late January 2025, Cooper was released on bail to reside at New Roads Therapeutic Community in Victoria to undergo residential treatment programming.

Cooper flourished there, court was told.

Brooke Pettinger, the facility’s community care coordinator, outlined for the court Cooper’s progression in treatment and in the community.

She wrote that Cooper is no longer simply participating in recovery, he’s contributing to it.

“His trajectory indicates a strong commitment to maintaining these changes and continuing to build a prosocial, responsible life within the community,” Pettinger stated.

This past March, Cooper transitioned to second-phase housing, Johnson Manor, a new 20-unit facility for men in Victoria, where he remains.

Cooper is a house leader at Johnson Manor, where court was told he continually aids several tenants during their addiction journeys.

Cooper is also employed as a highly regarded and skilled harm reduction and peer support worker and made presentations to University of Victoria students, court was told.

“Collateral reports and his own statements describes substantial personal growth, accountability and leadership through sustained recovery programs and peer support, all of which appear to have contributed to his emotional regulation and relapse prevention,” justice Baird outlined while detailing several glowing character reference letters.

During sentencing arguments in June, justice Baird hinted at the possibility of jailing Cooper.

Justice Baird referenced grim BC Coroners Service statistics, which showed 94 people in the Nanaimo area died from toxic drugs in 2024, representing the second-most on record in the Harbour City.

Despite Nanaimo’s overdose and drug culture presenting in the words of justice Baird as “a disastrous situation”, he saw no socially redeeming purpose in handing Cooper a federal sentence.

“I regard your recovery so far and rehabilitation as remarkable, in my experience, it is not common,” Baird said as he locked eyes with the offender.

Cooper’s four years of court oversight include numerous restrictive conditions, including staying away from illicit substances and counselling.

He is permitted to visit family in Richmond as part of a specially arranged carve-out in his one-year of house arrest now in effect. 

“In the face of the grit, discipline and determination shown by this offender in fending off his addiction and a strong record of leadership with helping others to do the same, in my view it would be directly and profoundly counter-productive to commit him to a penitentiary sentence,” justice Baird concluded.

Outside court, Cooper told NanaimoNewsNOW that his conduct prior to his Nanaimo arrest reflected his miserable downward spiral.

“People like me can change, people that are in that state can change into something that can be beneficial to the community as a whole,” Cooper said.

He endured to change his life to create a more positive future for himself, his family and to give back to society.

“I wanted to make it up to the community as a whole for the harm that I’ve done to it, there’s no way that I can ever make up for it, but I can make my best effort in life now to show people that I have changed so I can now help people.”

Cooper intends to maintain a full-time career to support the recovery community and remain in the Victoria area.

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Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for much of the west coast of Vancouver Island this morning, warning of “very heavy rain” from Sooke to Zeballos starting in the evening and not expected to ease until Wednesday afternoon, with the possibility of local, low-land flooding.

Meteorologist Chloe Katsademas said rainfall of 100 millimetres or more is expected to hit the Tofino-Ucluelet area over the course of the storm, with even more possible in areas north of them.

“It’s going to impact all the way through into those mainland areas, and so there’s going to be some significant rainfall into overnight Tuesday, throughout Wednesday and maybe into Thursday.”

Weather warnings in place for western Vancouver Island at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1. (Image Credit: Environment and Climate Change Canada)

While no warnings or alerts are currently in place for east Vancouver Island, rain and wind are expected for Nanaimo and Oceanside on Wednesday, with winds gusting up to 70 kilometres an hour in coastal areas of Oceanside overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday morning.

A special weather statement is in place for areas north of Zeballos, including Bella Bella and Prince Rupert, warning of heavy rain and strong winds causing streams to rise rapidly, along with potential for landslides.

The BC Wildfire Service says in its update that the province is set for more “fall-like” weather with increased relative humidity and seasonal temperatures, but cautions that drought conditions persist in the southern Interior and southeastern B.C.

Astronomical fall officially begins in B.C. on Sept. 22, while Sept. 1 is regarded as the start of meteorological fall.

Katsademas said once this “first shot” of fall weather moves out of the area by Thursday morning, skies should be mostly rain-free to start the new school semester, at least on Vancouver Island.

“I think central BC to kind of Alberta is going to get some showers, but the island should stay clear for the middle parts of September into the end, and then…it’s hard to say, but there could be some of those shots of fall showers coming in later, middle of the month, and later on that could still impact the area.”

An “unprecedented” El Niño climate pattern is currently forming in the Pacific Ocean, with weather experts saying there’s a very good chance temperatures will be at least one degree above average this winter, with a 70 per cent chance we’ll see temperatures higher than in the last 100 years.

Last Month

While wet weather is in the immediate forecast, August was mostly an average month weather-wise on the mid-Island, varying a bit in the northern parts of the island.

The mean temperature last month in Nanaimo was 18.8 degrees (Celsius), less than a full degree above normal, with 27.6 millimetres of rain falling, about 97 per cent of average.

Further up island, the Comox region had a mean temperature of 19.1 last month, a bit over one degree warmer than normal, and only around 30 per cent of its regular rainfall with 9.7 millimetres.

Meanwhile, Campbell River received 36 millimetres, about 80 per cent of normal, and was less than a full degree above the average temperature for August, with a mean temperature of 18.1.

— with files from The Canadian Press.

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BC Highway Patrol’s five units in the province are leading an education and enforcement campaign, including on Vancouver Island.

BCHP Sgt. Michael McLaughlin told NanaimoNewsNOW distracted driving remains a significant problem.

“It’s very clear from collision numbers that it’s one of the top three causes of fatal collisions in B.C. and we need that to stop,” Sgt. McLaughlin warned.

An average of nine people died annually on Vancouver Island between 2020 and 2024 due to distracted driving, according to ICBC data.

During BC Highway Patrol’s month-long enforcement campaign this past March, 241 motorists were fined on Vancouver Island for using an electronic device ($368 fine & four demerit points).

As for improperly restrained drivers and passengers, Sgt. McLaughlin said their officers will be closely watching for those who aren’t properly buckled up.

He said it’s not difficult for police to detect improperly secured drivers and front seat passengers.

Sgt. McLaughlin added refusing to wear a seatbelt tends to be more of a problem in rural areas of the province.

“We don’t really get it, they’re pretty comfortable and they come free with your vehicle, just put on your seatbelt, it’ll help keep you alive in the event of a collision.”

This past March resulted in 89 seatbelt/restraint related tickets issued by police officers on Vancouver Island.

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Tuesday, Sept. 1 marks the start of an eleven-day nomination period for candidates to submit the required paperwork to be included on the ballot on Oct. 17 for municipal Mayor or Council, School Board, Regional District Board, or Islands Trust.

Candidate nomination packages can be collected from the office of the jurisdiction candidates are interested in running for, such as Town or City Halls, or School District offices.

Nominations close Friday, Sept. 11.

After a week-long verification and consideration period, during which candidates can withdraw their nomination, the official campaign period begins on Sept. 19.

The election campaign in Nanaimo is expected to be a crowded one, with around 30 candidates for Council and four Mayoral contenders expected.

The numbers are similar to 2022, when 29 Council and four Mayoral candidates were on the ballot.

NanaimoNewsNOW’s formal coverage of the 2026 Municipal Election begins Oct. 1 with our candidate survey, and new this year, our interactive Know Your Vote tool where voters can see which candidates align with their personal viewpoints on a range of issues.

Advance voting days are scheduled across the mid-Island on Oct. 7 and 14, ahead of the general voting day on Oct. 17

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A supplementary round trip from Departure Bay at 7:15 p.m. to Tsawwassen has been added for Tuesday.

BC Ferries said they expect all sailings on the Queen of Oak Bay to proceed as scheduled.

BC Ferries said their engineering team is currently working to repair the vessel, with the Wednesday, Sept. 2, 6:15 a.m. sailing from Nanaimo’s Departure Bay at risk of being cancelled, as of early Tuesday afternoon.

EARLIER STORY: NANAIMO — Mechanical issues on board a BC Ferries vessel led to police trying to calm frustrated travellers.

Problems with the “main engine turbocharger” on board the Queen of Cowichan on Monday, Aug. 31, resulted in several sailings being cancelled, both Monday evening and the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Off the schedule were 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. sailings from Departure Bay on Monday, followed by 6:15 a.m. and 10:55 a.m. crossings on Tuesday.

Further sailings are at risk of cancellation Tuesday afternoon.

Nanaimo Mounties spoke with passengers at the terminal, as frustrations around the cancellations grew. (Image Credit: Submitted image)

Frustrations boiled over during the dinner hour Monday, as multiple RCMP officers attended the terminal.

One witness told NanaimoNewsNOW some drivers elected to leave in a hurry, instead of wait for another ferry.

Travellers planning to head to the Lower Mainland Tuesday are encouraged to check the BC Ferries website for the latest changes to the schedule.

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Provincial minister of education Lisa Beare announced in Nanaimo on Monday, Aug. 31, a multi-million-dollar investment to add approximately 1,200 new, licensed before- and after-school spaces in elementary schools across 22 school districts in B.C.

While a large portion of the spots will come online beginning in September, the remainder are expected to be created over the coming months.

“It’s helping more families access what is high-quality, affordable childcare when and where they need it. These programs are made possible by a $5 million investment to support renovations and repurposing of existing spaces in school sites to create new childcare spaces,” Beare said.

She made the announcement at McGirr Elementary School, which will be home to one of the new programs through this funding.

Additional funding, to the tune of $2.9 million, is also being made available to school districts for operating and start-up costs to get spaces open quickly.

The new programs are in response to a change in strategy by the province in childcare.

Beare noted they’ve paused enrollment in their $10 a day childcare initiative to deal with a backlog and are consulting with various groups in a bid to tackle availability for families across the province.

“It’s my goal as minister to make sure that we are building a sustainable program that’s available to everyone. Currently, the $10 day is a lottery-type system, we only have 10 per cent of families accessing that program, but we have 90 per cent accessing reduction fees for over $7,000 a year. That’s huge, that’s significant.”

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools board chair Leanne Lee said the District would go from five to 12 before- and after-school care programs, adding 183 spaces in the coming months.

She added reliable childcare allows families to balance work and family responsibilities and provides a stable environment for kids to learn and play.

“Childcare on school grounds also allows children to have continuity throughout their day by staying in the same location and being cared for by some of the same school staff they are with during school hours.”

A complete list of new spaces coming to the District is available here:

• Departure Bay Elementary (24 school-age spaces)
• Mountain View Elementary (24 school-age spaces)
• Quarterway Elementary (24 school-age spaces)
• Hammond Bay Elementary (15 school-age spaces)
• Frank J. Ney Elementary (24 school-age spaces)
• syuw̓én̓ct Elementary (24 school-age spaces)
• Forest Park Elementary (24 school-age spaces)
• McGirr Elementary (24 school-age spaces)

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The Mike Davidson Bike Pump Track, built by the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation, officially opened to the public on Monday, Aug. 31, and sits on the very spot where Nanaimo BMX was founded, along Walsh Rd., near Cedar Secondary School.

Legacy Foundation’s Michelle Corfield said the land is special, as it reflects the leadership of the Davidson family in growing the sport in Nanaimo and Smith’s connection to the Cedar area.

“Where we’re standing out in Cedar…is also where Steven went to school. For the community, this gives those children here an opportunity to do something that they’ve never been able to do before, and that’s have a safe place to ride their bikes.”

The track is open year-round during daylight hours. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

A mixture of routes is available through the pump track for use by non-motorized two-wheelers.

Having something for all skill levels was a critical component to the build, Corfield said, with the opportunity for riders to grow as they age.

“I rode this bike park [Sunday], I’m 57 years old. I loved it. This is [track]…can take you right from beginner to expert. You’ll see it over time as skills grow with their confidence. Riding a bike is about building confidence, and I think this is going to give these kids a chance to build self-confidence in a way they’ve never had before.”

Some minor landscaping is still needed at the track, including the laying of some grass around the site.

The facility will be open every day, year-round, with riding available from dawn to dusk.

Following the initial “flag lap”, complete with the playing of O Canada, riders of all ages swarmed the new pump track to give it a test run. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Kathy Davidson, wife of Mike, said she’s immensely proud her late husband’s memory, along with that of his mother Marie, lives on through this new facility.

“I genuinely know what it would mean both to my husband Mike and his mom Marie to see this legacy continue, to see the smile on kids’ faces as they ride, to challenge themselves, and to have fun. To give our youth a place to be active, build confidence, make friends, and perhaps discover a passion that leads them to a higher level of cycling and other bike sports.”

At the unveiling of the track, the Port of Nanaimo announced a $25,000 donation to the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation for the project and their ongoing work building the sport in Nanaimo.

Three-year-old Beau Davidson (164), grandson of Mike Davidson, is taking in the first lap on the new BMX pump track. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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