Shootings linked to drugs

Photo: Jon Manchester

Three shots fired incidents in Vernon in less than a month are believed to be targeted and linked to the drug trade, say the RCMP.

“The Vernon RCMP are actively investigating four violent incidents, including three where the discharge of a firearm was involved in Vernon and surrounding areas,” said Cpl. Dave Tyreman, RCMP media spokesperson. “At this point the police believe the events are targeted and are linked to the drug trade.”

Tyreman said the shootings are being investigated as separate events “and are not being linked together, but investigators will follow all leads as information becomes available.”

• On April 14, a family home on Pottery Road was hit by three bullets early in the morning, terrifying the family inside. No one was injured.
• On April 21, police responded to a report of a shots fired incident in the 3400 block of Okanagan Avenue around 5:30 p.m. There were no reports of injuries or damage.
• On May 8, a teenage boy was wounded when shots were fired in the 1500 block of 33rd Street just after midnight. Police said it was believed to have been a targeted incident and the male did not suffer life threatening injuries.

“Any unsafe discharge of a firearm is a serious concern for the RCMP, as there is the risk of somebody being significantly injured,” said Tyreman.

On Monday, Mayor Akbal Mund expressed some concern over the shots fired incidents although he had not spoken to the RCMP about them at that point.

Tyreman said the RCMP are committed to finding who was responsible for the shootings and “to hold them accountable.”

He did not give any information regarding the fourth violent incident although a homeless man was attacked and hit with a machete in Polson Park on May 9.

The officer asked for anyone with information regarding the events to contact the Vernon RCMP or call Crime Stoppers.