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A man accused of seriously injuring a grocery store manager in Victoria, British Columbia, has been rearrested after allegedly returning to the same store where the attack took place. Peter Andrew Patrick Statham, 27, walked into the Save-On-Foods location on Pandora Avenue on Friday, prompting staff to call 911 immediately. Police arrived quickly and took him into custody. He remains in custody pending a bail hearing.
Violent Attack Left Manager with Serious Injuries
The original incident took place on September 19. According to Pattison Food Group president Jamie Nelson, the store manager approached Statham after recognizing him as someone previously banned from the store for shoplifting. Statham responded by punching the manager in the head three times, knocking him to the ground.
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The assault fractured the manager’s cheekbone and left him unconscious. Nelson described blood at the scene before Statham turned and walked out. The manager was hospitalized with serious injuries. Nelson later confirmed the injuries would likely require surgical treatment.
The Victoria Police Department said officers arrested a suspect near the store shortly after the September 19 incident. Authorities released him on conditions while the investigation continued. Statham now faces charges of theft, assault causing bodily harm, and robbery in connection with that attack.
The injured employee is Dave Alexander, store manager of Save-On-Foods Pandora. Earlier this year, Pattison Food Group honored Alexander at its annual Leadership Excellence Awards gala. He received a Special Achievement Award on February 25 for leading “in a challenging operating environment with a focus on people and performance.”
Food Group President Calls for Action
Nelson published an open letter to the media titled “Frontline Workers Should Not Have to Accept Violence as Part of the Job.” In it, he described the attack as a “violent assault” and warned that the situation is growing more dangerous over time.
Nelson wrote that Pattison Food Group has raised concerns with governments, law enforcement agencies, and community partners for years. However, he said the severity and frequency of violent incidents continue to increase. “We cannot wait until someone loses their life before deciding that enough is enough,” he wrote.
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce supported Nelson’s position. CEO John Wilson called on the province to move beyond studies and discussions. “We need it to stop,” Wilson said Friday. “The province needs to step up, stop talking about it, stop studying it — it’s time for action.”
Political Parties Respond to Retail Violence Concerns
The Save-On-Foods Pandora attack drew responses from multiple political parties ahead of the provincial election campaign. BC NDP leader David Eby, speaking in Kelowna on Friday, said his government had made measurable progress against repeat violent offenders.
“We have been able to drive down attacks significantly and make communities materially safer,” Eby said. He added that the government’s property crime initiative was also expanding.
Meanwhile, the BC Conservative Party said assaults and threats against retail workers are “outrageously” common across the province. A campaign spokesperson said a Conservative government would pursue full prosecutions and oppose bail for violent offenders to hold criminals accountable under the law.
CentreBC leader Elenore Sturko also addressed the issue directly. She described the level of violence in retail settings across British Columbia as unacceptable. Sturko promised to hold offenders accountable while also expanding access to mental health treatment and involuntary care for those who qualify. In addition, she said her party would review recent bail reforms to determine whether they are keeping communities safe. “If they are not, we will continue fighting until the public is safe from violent offenders,” Sturko said.
Statham was remanded in custody Friday evening. A possible bail hearing is scheduled for Monday, October 5.
