BC

A Kamloops RCMP patrol officer who pulled over a vehicle driving erratically Tuesday evening found the driver to be impaired and his passenger suffering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

The white 2003 Ford F-350 pickup truck with dual wheels and a “lift kit” was stopped after it was spotted driving erratically eastbound down Columbia St. When the officer spoke to the 28-year-old Kamloops man behind the wheel, the driver said he was using a friends truck to take the 31-year-old male passenger to the hospital because he had been stabbed.

The driver was detained due to signs of impairment by drug and EHS was called to the scene along with other officers. Initial examination of the victim by EHS paramedics revealed that the passenger was actually suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was subsequently transported to Royal Inland Hospital for treatment for the non life threatening injury.

While searching the white Ford pickup truck, investigators found a loaded small caliber handgun on the cab floor. The vehicle was seized and has been towed to the RCMP Detachment where it will undergo a complete forensic examination.

The driver was taken to Royal Inland Hospital for medical examination of visible facial injuries and to determine if he could be safely lodged in custody relative to his suspected prior drug use. This subject remains in custody at the Kamloops RCMP detachment pending the continued investigation into the incident.

Neither the driver nor passenger has been cooperative with investigators about the circumstances relating to the gun shot injury or the possession of the hand gun. The investigation has now been taken over by the Major Crime Section of the Kamloops RCMP.