Overview

• Comox Valley RCMP describe the unprovoked attack on 67-year-old Serge Melancon as brutal and senseless, charging a known 29-year-old suspect with aggravated assault and robbery.
• Witnesses provided critical information that enabled officers to arrive within seconds and make an on-scene arrest on Sunday at Lewis Park in Courtenay.
• Melancon spent a night in hospital for facial, knee and body injuries and has returned to Campbell River alongside his wife, Deirdre, who defended them during the five-minute assault.
• The accused, who has prior assault charges and a 2019 conviction, remains in custody and is due to appear in court on Aug. 28.
• Melancon says he bears no ill will toward his attacker—who Victim Impact Services has identified as living with schizophrenia—and hopes the case will address underlying mental health issues.