Charges pending in Westwold shooting

More information is coming together about a shooting which resulted in a North Okanagan man being injured.

Vernon RCMP are continuing to gather evidence from the scene of a shooting Friday evening on a farm off Back Road in Westwold.

RCMP spokesperson, Gordon Molendyk, says the investigation has revealed that the farmer approached three hunters in a vehicle as they were stopped at a locked gate on a Forest Service Road that crosses a corner of his property.

“The farmer was in possession of a firearm and discharged rounds as he approached the three hunters. A struggle ensued between one of the woman hunters and the farmer that resulted in the woman being assaulted,” says Molendyk.

He says when the second woman came to assist, a second struggle occurred.

“The result was an accidental discharge of a second firearm, resulting in the farmer being hit in the leg below the knee.”

Molendyk says the 62-year-old farmer remains in Kamloops hospital and has yet to be interviewed by the police.

The 26-year-old woman who was arrested has been released.

“As this case is expected to result in charges being laid against suspects on both sides of this altercation and will be before the courts shortly, we are not able to disclose further details.”