Police probe Valley link to shooting in Nanaimo
Man killed by police may have been involved in Vernon shooting and Penticton carjacking
A man apparently shot and killed by police Tuesday at a ferry terminal in Nanaimo may have been involved in a shooting Monday in Vernon and a carjacking Monday night in Penticton, according to Mounties.
“I can confirm that the carjacking incident took place Monday night in Penticton and the driver in that incident sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries,” B.C. RCMP spokeswoman Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said in an email Wednesday.
An RCMP news release issued later Wednesday said the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP issued a news release Monday, seeking witnesses and information, after a shooting occurred at noon in the 2700 block of 43 Avenue in Vernon.
The alleged shooter, described as Caucasian with blond hair, was seen leaving the area in a 1996 grey Ford Crown Victoria. This same vehicle was last seen in West Kelowna at approximately 1:25 p.m.
At 8:35 p.m. Monday, Penticton RCMP were called to a motel in the 800 block of Westminster Avenue for a report of a man with a gun. The man was seen in possession of a high-visibility vest and matched the description of the suspect in the Vernon shooting. The man fled before police arrived.
A short while later, at 8:46 p.m., Penticton RCMP received a report of a carjacking in the 100 block of Maple Street.
The victim, driving a bluish-grey Pontiac Vibe, reported that a male, matching the description of the suspect in both previous incidents, asked for a ride to the hospital to see a sick family member. Once inside the car, the male assaulted the victim. The victim was forced from the vehicle in the 900 block of Main Street in Penticton and was seriously injured.
At 8:35 a.m. on Tuesday, Penticton RCMP were notified that the victim’s stolen vehicle was nearing the Departure Bay ferry terminal in Nanaimo. Assistance from Nanaimo RCMP was sought to arrest the driver as the vehicle left the ferry.
Initial information based on police accounts indicates the suspect got out of the vehicle with what was believed to be a gun and shots were fired, the Mounties said in a release.
RCMP declined further comment because B.C.’s police watchdog has taken over the investigation, which happens whenever police actions result in serious harm or death.
Vernon North Okanagan and Penticton RCMP are now seeking the public’s assistance in locating the 1996 grey Ford Crown Victoria bearing B.C. licence plate DR258M and identifying any witnesses to the incidents.
Investigators are actively working to either confirm or eliminate information in order to conclusively determine if the various incidents are connected, if they are connected to a single individual or if others are involved, police said.