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By Dylana Kneeshaw

Shootout Sentence

Kamloops’ top cop says sentencing in 2017 shootout highlights danger officers regularly face

Sep 29, 2020 | 5:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — The head of the Kamloops RCMP detachment says he was satisfied to hear of a prison sentencing decision for a man who had shot at police officers in a 2017 incident.

Three years ago, Shane William Caron led police on a chase stemming from an incident on the Kamloops North Shore to the G & M Trailer Park on the Tk’emlups Reserve. He holed up in his parents’ mobile home after gunfire was exchanged with police officers.

Caron admitted to triggering the shootout and standoff with local police.

Superintendent Syd Lecky submitted a victim impact statement to the court on behalf of the detachment. On Monday (Sept. 28), Caron was sentenced to eight years in prison on the count of discharging a firearm.

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Speaking with CFJC Today, Lecky says he was okay with prison time as the result. But considering the potentially fatal situation officers were thrown into, Lecky says he feels the charges could have been different.

“I would have preferred if he had been charged with attempted murder of police officers,” he states. “It’s amazing that no one was hurt or killed in this event. It highlights the dangers that police are faced with on a day to day basis.”

Lecky oversees more than 130 members out of the local detachment. He says police work is not easy and these violent stand off incidents put lives at risk.

“You think you’re walking into a relatively routine type call, a domestic-related matter, and then all of a sudden we’re dealing with a shootout. And one that went all over the city and put people at risk everywhere. So I’m sure that the judge factored that into his consideration.”

Even when standoff incidents are resolved, Lecky notes the impact can linger for officers and staff members involved.

“Different people are impacted in different ways. I’ve been impacted by things in my past. Sometimes we encourage you to get the support you need, if you need it. We’re fortunate in Kamloops that we do have that kind of support,” he says. “I’ve worked in places where I haven’t had the luxury of having the support services that we have here, but we do.”

After time served, Shane Caron will serve around three-and-a-half years in prison for the altercation.