Forensic investigators seize suspect vehicle in Aberdeen hit and run

Nov 8, 2016 | 9:26 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops RCMP forensic identification investigators are intensifying their probe into a suspect vehicle in last week’s fatal hit and run in Aberdeen.

The crash instantly killed 16 year old Jenn Gatey.

Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says the Jeep found at a residence on Sunshine Court in Dufferin has been taken to the RCMP detachment’s vehicle bay for further investigation.

Even so, Shelkie says police can’t be certain this particular vehicle was involved.

“Right now all this is, is a suspect vehicle,” said Shelkie. “We haven’t linked it directly to the hit and run, but that’s what the forensic analysis will do: it will tell us whether this vehicle was the vehicle that was in the hit and run, or eliminate it as a suspect vehicle.”

“It is now with our forensic identification section and they’ll be doing numerous tests on it and seeing if there is any evidence there that is of value.”

Shelkie says, contrary to some media reports, there is no definitive suspect and an arrest is not imminent.

She notes if DNA or fibre analysis needs to be completed, the investigation could last much longer.

“If any like that needs to be done, the labs that do that are not in Kamloops, and it can take weeks or even longer than that.”

“We have a suspect vehicle. So we don’t have a person as a suspect. Only if we determine that the vehicle was the vehicle that was used in the hit and run, then we’ll go forward and determine who the driver was, and [he or she] will become a suspect.”

Shelkie adds police still want tips from the public.

“This is the only vehicle right now that we’re looking at. We have other tips that have come in that we’re looking at. So we’re still asking the public if they have any information about a suspect vehicle or about a driver to give us a call, because we’ll definitely investigate that.”

“We’re still taking tips and if something comes in about another vehicle, we’ll look at it the same way as well. We’re still taking information from the public. We need that. We need to look at every tip that may come in because this may not be the suspect vehicle.”