Kamloops RCMP say a 40-year-old man who is known to police was seriously injured after a targeted shooting on the North Shore yesterday that had all the makings of a gang hit.

In a statement Thursday, police say they shooting happened in the 170 block of Tranquille Road around 6:50 p.m. yesterday evening, July 3.

“Investigators believe the shooting was targeted and related to the BC Gang Conflict,” BC RCMP spokesperson Cpl. James Grandy said.

“The Kamloops RCMP’s Targeted Enforcement Unit is leading the investigation, with support from Serious Crime, General Investigations Unit, Forensics Unit, and frontline officers, to identify the suspect(s).”

A person in a black SUV was taken to hospital after the vehicle ended up in the Thompson River near the Sandbar Grill not long after the shooting. Witnesses took to social media to say the occupants of the vehicle were able to make it back to shore before police arrived on scene.

While police have not identified the victim, a 40-year-old Cameron Cole has previously been identified as one of two local drug king-pins currently embroiled in a turf dispute.

“We’re not releasing those details at this moment,” Grandy told Radio NL, when asked whether Cole was the person taken to hospital.

Grandy says there were two vehicles that were later found on fire – a silver Audi on the Jamieson Creek Forest Service Road north of Westsyde around 7:20 last night, and a black BMW in the 1700 block of Parkcrest Avenue around 3:40 this morning, July 4.

“Both of the above vehicles are believed to be related to the shooting,” Grandy said.

The shooting and subsequent police presence meant traffic was at a standstill on Westsyde Road for a good portion of the evening as police checked vehicles that were leaving the community.

Police are asking people to be vigilant, and to reach out if they have any information or dash-cam footage of the shooting.

“We are concerned this occurred in a public area, and want to remind the public to be vigilant, as we continue to invest considerable resources in investigating both this and the other recent shootings,” Kamloops RCMP Staff Sgt. Todd Wiebe said.”

Those with information are being told to call 250-828-3000.