A teenager slashed another teen in the face with a hunting knife after a birthday party turned unruly Thursday night.

Saanich police were called just before midnight to the 5000-block of Santa Clara Ave., near Elk Lake.

A chaperoned party got out of hand, so the supervising parents sent the 25 to 30 youths home.

Outside the house the 17-year-old victim attempted to break up an argument between a 16-year-old and his girlfriend. The young man slashed the left side of the victim's face, leaving an eight-inch gash to his cheek and ear.

The suspect and his girlfriend fled, but officers located the pair on Elk Lake Drive.

Police are recommending charges of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon against the 16-year-old suspect, from Victoria.

The victim, a Saanich teen, received multiple layers of stitches to close up the wound and was released from hospital.

kslavin@saanichnews.com