Two vehicles set on fire, another crashed into the river and a 40-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds, kept Kamloops RCMP busy Wednesday night.
The string of incidents appeared to begin after officers were called to the 170 block of Tranquille Road just before 7 p.m. for reports of shots fired. Once on scene, police discovered a vehicle in the North Thompson River and a man, known to RCMP, who had been shot.
According to Cpl. James Grandy, the man suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Then about 20 minutes later RCMP recovered a burned Audi, silver in colour, on Jamieson Creek Forest Service Road and Westsyde Road.
A second burned-out vehicle, a black BMW, was recovered at about 3:40 a.m. on July 4 in the 1700 block of Parkcrest Avenue.
Both of the burned-out vehicles are believed to be related to the shooting, said Cpl. Grandy.
“Investigators believe the shooting was targeted and related to the B.C. gang conflict,” said Cpl. Grandy. “The Kamloops RCMP’s Target Enforcement Unit is leading the investigation, with support from Serious Crime, General Investigations Unit, Forensics Unit, and officers, to identify the suspects.”
Staff Sgt. Todd Wiebe with the Kamloops RCMP Detachment’s Investigative Services Section said there is concern these incidents occurred in a public place.
“We want to remind the public to be vigilant, as we continue to invest considerable resources in investigating both this and the other recent shootings,” said Staff Sgt. Wiebe.
Kamloops RCMP is asking anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have dash-camera footage, to contact them, at 250-828-3000.