Penticton

Photo: Kelly Hayes

Wiens being escorted to cells after being charged with murder

UPDATE: 

​It has been confirmed a retired RCMP officer has been charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of his common-law partner. 

Keith Gregory Wiens was at one time posted within the Okanagan Valley and left the force in 2001. 

​He appeared in Penticton Provincial Court this morning and remains in custody.

Police arrived at Wiens' home after receiving a call that his 55-year-old common-law partner had been shot.

Wiens was arrested without incident at the scene.

The name of the deceased is not being released at the request of her family. 

An autopsy will be conducted today in Penticton.

There are conflicting reports from neighbours, with some saying Wiens was a nice man, and others saying they found him to be rather rude and at times paranoid.​

A 55-year-old Penticton woman is dead and her common-law partner is in custody after a fatal shooting early Tuesday morning.

Police say the shooting occurred at a residence in the 3300 block of South Main Street.

"Upon their attendance, investigators arrested the woman's common-law partner without incident at the residence," says Cpl. Annie Linteau.

"He remains in custody pending his first court appearance."

Linteau says members of the RCMP's Forensic Identification Section have secured and are processing the scene.

The name of the 56-year-old suspect has not been released pending approval of charges.

Police are not releasing any further information.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to call Penticton RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Castanet's Kelly Hayes reports.