Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

By Michael Reeve

DRIVE-BY SHOOTING

Kamloops Mounties investigating if recent shootings are connected

May 3, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops RCMP are investigating after a pair of shootings in the past 48 hours in the Tournament Capital. The first shooting reportedly occurred on Wednesday (May 1) evening at the Star Lodge motel on Columbia Street West. The second shooting took place early Friday (may 3) morning on the North Shore where approximately 11 bullets were fired at a home on 10th Street.

Mounties put out a plea for witness video after the drive-by shooting on the North Shore. Officers were called to the 1200-block of 10th Street for the report of shots fired at a home with a silver, older model Jetta seen leaving the area.

“We later located what we believe strongly to be that Jetta that was dumped on 13th Street. We do have a report that vehicle was stolen earlier in the morning at about 5:30, and then left the scene. We believe (the occupants) conducted the shooting and then had returned back to the scene,” said Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet.

At the North Shore location, a number of the bullets hit the front door. One bullet also appeared to hit a neighbour’s van.

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The shooting began around 6:00 a.m. with witnesses noting the house in question is visited frequently by both police and by-law officers.

“The wife woke me up. She was in the shower and heard the shots, so we came out to see all the commotion and by that point all the cops where here. I guess there was a drive-by shooting, a lot of bullet casings on the ground,” said Ryan Kerr, who lives on 10th.

Following the shooting several people were taken out of the house by police.

“I’ve definitely seen a few (people) coming and going on the daily, but not that many. There were at least 10 people coming out of that place,” added Kerr.

The drive-by is believed to have been targeted and there is not ongoing risk to the public. Kamloops Mounties were unable to confirm if the drive-by was connected to an earlier shooting at the Star Lodge Motel.

“Very, very early in both of those investigations at this point,” said Shoihet. “We don’t know that they are connected. The shots fired incident (at the Star Lodge) was, I think, at about midnight the evening before last, and didn’t get reported to us until last night early in the evening, which is why you saw us there last evening. At this point, we don’t know if they are connected, but are certainly looking to connect any bread crumbs should they be there.”

Police are asking the public for any video surveillance of the shooting or of the suspect silver Jetta.