A truck believed to be associated with the shooting was found ablaze just outside of the city. (Image Credit: Contributed / Merritt RCMP)
Merritt Shooting

RCMP looking into Friday morning shooting incident in Merritt

Nov 18, 2022 | 9:06 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — UPDATE: RCMP in Merritt say another shooting Friday morning (Nov. 18) is likely related to one earlier in the week.

In a news release, detachment commander Sgt. Josh Roda says police were called to a shots fired complaint in the 2100-block of Priest Avenue just before 6:00 a.m. Friday.

Roda says witnesses reported a mid-90s grey Dodge Ram with a maroon box in the area at the time of the shooting. Afterward, the truck sped away from the area. Investigators later determined the truck had been stolen about 20 minutes earlier from an address in the 1700-block of Granite Avenue.

Not long after the shooting incident, a truck believed to be the same truck was reported on fire at the Goedy Creek pit, just off the Highway 5A on-ramp just east of the city.

Image Credit: Contributed / Merritt RCMP

“It’s believed that the truck was stolen solely for the purpose of the shooting, then it was dumped and burned near the Highway 5 and Highway 5a on-ramp at an area known as the Goedy Creek pit,” said Roda.

RCMP are asking local residents to review surveillance video for any evidence related to the truck theft, the shooting or the truck being set on fire.

“We strongly believe that this incident is associated to the ongoing investigation to the shooting that occurred earlier this week,” said Roda. “Fortunately there have been no reports of injuries from the shooting, and investigators are continuing their tireless efforts to identify and apprehend the suspects in these brazen events. Investigators continue to canvass the area for witnesses and residential video.”

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Merritt RCMP at (250) 378-4262.

EARLIER: There are reports of another shooting incident in Merritt Friday (Nov. 18).

According to the Superintendent Stephen McNiven of the Nicola-Similkameen School District, the incident happened Friday morning.

In a post to social media, McNiven says the RCMP have been in contact with the district. RCMP informed McNiven schools are not impacted and should remain open.

The incident comes after another shooting incident in the community Tuesday in which upwards of 100 rounds were fired but no one was injured.

CFJC Today will bring you more information when it becomes available.