File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Shooting

Suspect on the loose after Merritt shooting Tuesday

Jan 7, 2025 | 3:35 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — RCMP are investigating a shooting in Merritt.

According to detachment commander Staff Sgt. Josh Roda, the incident happened at about 9:40 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 7) in the 1800-block of Orme Street.

Roda says the suspect came out of a home, approached the victim — who was standing at the corner of Orme Street and Quilchena Avenue — and shot the victim in the leg.

The suspect, who was dressed in black, then ran south on Orme Street before heading east down the alley between Quilchena and Coutlee Avenues.

The victim was rushed to hospital, but Roda says the injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

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Investigators believe the suspect and victim know each other and that the incident was targeted.

Later in the day, Merritt officers were joined by the Southeast District Emergency Response Team (ERT) in clearing the home the suspect was inside before the shooting. Roda says the home is being held pending the execution of a search warrant and members of the public should avoid the area.

Anyone with further information on the incident, including surveillance or dashcam video capturing either the shooting or the suspect running away, is asked to contact Merritt RCMP at (250) 378-4262.