Merritt-area man opened fire on neighbour's house, police say

Photo: Castanet Staff

A Merritt-area man is facing firearms charges after allegedly shooting his neighbour’s house during an argument.

According to police, emergency crews were called to Kane Valley, south of Merritt, just before 8 p.m. on Saturday for a report of shots fired.

“Our local front-line officers worked quickly to actually extract a man and a woman from the home that had been fired upon,” Merritt RCMP Sgt. Josh Roda said in a news release.

“The pair were unable to safely escape from the potential danger on their own.”

Investigators believe a man opened fire on a neighbouring home during a dispute.

Christopher Jonathan Skidmore, 44, was arrested following an hours-long standoff. He is facing charges of uttering threats, unauthorized possession of a firearm and careless use of a firearm.

Police said investigators seized a shotgun from Skidmore’s home.

Anyone with information about the incident can call Merritt Mounties at 250-378-4262 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.