Arrested after brutal Nanaimo attack outside tattoo parlor

A Nanaimo man has been arrested in connection with a brutal attack on a man sitting outside a tattoo parlor last month, which left him with serious injuries.

Video footage from businesses near the 100-block of Nicol Street where the Oct. 8 assault occurred helped police identify the suspect, Nanaimo RCMP said Wednesday.

An arrest warrant for 45-year-old Brent Houle was issued on November 8, and police say he was arrested on November 21 during an unrelated trespassing incident.

Houle, of no fixed address, was remanded in police custody pending his next court appearance on December 10.

Surveillance video obtained by CHEK News showed a group of people sitting on the sidewalk around 10:30 a.m

It appears that someone hit the victim in the head, knocking him down. After several punches and kicks, the attacker tramples and drags the victim.

At the time of the attack, police said the victim may have known her attacker because it was such a violent event.

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