Police in Saanich are recommending five charges of aggravated assault against a 52 year old man arrested after five people were stabbed at the Red Lion Inn Saturday afternoon.

Sgt. Chris Horsley says  the man is Zhi Wei "Wally" Meng, an employee of the hotel.

"At this point the motive for the stabbing is completely unknown, the suspect appears to have stabbed his first victims in the lower restaurant area, the restaurannt was closed, staff were simply relaxing in between shifts, and it was completely unprovoked."

Police say the suspect then moved into the kitchen area and stabbed an employee there.

Staff coming into the restaurant were also stabbed, as well as a clerk at the lobby's front desk.