UPDATE 12:50 p.m. – Kamloops RCMP say the area around the 500-block of Columbia Street West has been cleared for suspects and safety in relation to this police incident.
Sgt. Darren Michels says Columbia Street has now reopened to traffic and schools in the vicinity are no longer on a hold and secure.
“RCMP will remain on scene as we continue our investigation into this incident,” Michels noted. “We would like to thank the community for their patience.”
ORIGINAL – Kamloops RCMP say one person was taken to Royal Inland Hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound after shots were fired near the Hospitality Inn this morning.
Police say they responded around 7:30 a.m., noting they were not able to find any suspects on arrival.
“Initial reports indicate a group of individuals were seen in a parking lot when gunfire erupted,” Sgt. Darren Michels says, in a statement. “The area was contained for investigation and safety.”
At this time, Columbia Street West is closed off as police work to ensure the scene is safe with no danger to the public.
“As this is a multiple unit hotel area, this may take some time. As a precaution, local schools in the vicinity [Beattie Elementary and SaHali Secondary] – have gone into hold and secure for the time-being,” Michels added.
“We would like to thank the public for their patience due to the road closure during this time.”
Meanwhile, a Clearwater man who was making breakfast for him and son says he heard gunshots coming from the floor below his at the Hospitality Inn this morning.
“Yeah, I heard f**k this, f**k you – whole bunch of f-bombs and then ‘drop the gun’ drop the gun, and then the shots. That’s what I heard,” Rob Chrystall told NL News.
Chrystall is taking courses at Thompson Rivers University and says when he looked out of his door to see what was happening, police ordered him to leave his room. His 18-year-old son remained inside.
“I just told him to hang tight and keep the door shut and don’t come out unless its the police asking you something right. So he should be fine in there.”
He also says the RCMP was at the motel a couple of weeks ago with a dog unit.
“I don’t know what to think. Maybe time to find a new place to reside, I think,” Chrystall added. “And there’s a drug problem up here. Even at the viewpoint just up the hill, there’s needles on the ground all the time. Lot of intravenous drug use going on.”
“I’ve been here since Aug 31 and its getting worse and worse so. I don’t know what’s going on.”
Police say as the investigation continues, they will provide more updates.
Anyone with information on the incident or the suspects is asked to call Kamloops RCMP or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-2477.