Kelowna Man Partially Paralyzed After Brutal Assault

In mid-June, a violent attack in Kelowna, British Columbia left a local man, Ryan Yarush, with a brain injury and partial paralysis. Over a month later, Yarush remains hospitalized and barely able to speak.

The incident occurred on June 13th, when Yarush was reportedly involved in a verbal altercation at Mushroom Beach that turned physical. Witnesses say Yarush was beaten unconscious in a brutal encounter, leaving him convulsing and bleeding from the ear. According to Yarush's mother, Jackie Wasyluk, there was uncertainty about whether he would even survive the attack.

Now, Wasyluk describes Yarush as "semi-conscious," able to say only a few words like "yes" or "no" due to paralysis on the left side of his body. The assault has been deeply traumatic for Yarush's 15-year-old son, who is "upset and confused" by his father's condition.

Wasyluk believes the attack was unprovoked and claims the suspect was a youth, though police have not confirmed those details. The investigation remains ongoing, with a disclosure package being prepared for BC Prosecution Services. However, no arrests have been made public at this time.

As Yarush begins what is expected to be a long and uncertain recovery, a GoFundMe has been launched to help cover his expenses. Wasyluk expresses frustration with the justice system, saying "it just seems like there isn't a lot of justice for victims when it comes to violent crimes."