One person is dead, another hospitalized, after a drive-by shooting on the North Shore late Friday.
It’s a killing which appears to be gang-related.
Kamloops RCMP were called out to a quiet area of Ord Road, near Singh Street, to reports of a shooting just before 11pm.
“On Friday Aug. 26, 2022, around 10:45 p.m., Kamloops RCMP frontline officers responded to Ord Road near Singh Street for a 911 call involving two men who had been shot while inside a red Toyota Matrix,” said RCMP Inspector Jeff Pelley in a release. “The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead shortly after; the second victim was taken to hospital in stable condition.”
Roughly 3 hours later, around 2am, the Mounties were called out to a suspicious vehicle fire in Rayleigh.
Distance between approximate shooting location and location of suspicious vehicle fire/via Google Maps
“Whether the incidents are related is part of the ongoing investigation,” said Pelley.
While the victims have not been identified, the RCMP is suggesting this does have all the hallmarks of a gang-style killing.
“Although the investigation is in its very early stages, the homicide victim was well-known to police and the shooting is believed to be targeted,” said Pelley. “It is very important that anyone with information come forward as soon as possible to help officers determine what transpired and who is responsible.”
At this point, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), which investigates gang-related crimes, has not officially been called in.
“The Kamloops RCMP Serious Crime Unit, Forensic Identification Service Unit, General Investigative Support Team, and frontline officers are involved in the ongoing investigation,” said the RCMP.
The Mounties are reaching out to the public for help.
“Police are seeking anyone who witnessed or may have information related to this incident, including security footage, cell phone or dash cam video, that may have captured anything suspicious to please contact the Kamloops RCMP,” said Pelley. “Areas of particular interest include Ord Road and Singh Street, as well as Rayleigh Frontage Road, between 9 p.m. Aug. 26 and 2:30 a.m., Aug 27.”
