Fort St. John’s mayor is urging for increased provincial police support to address a rise in gun-related incidents near schools in northeastern British Columbia. This plea follows what authorities suspect to be a third targeted shooting at a residence in the city on Friday night.
Details on the recent incident remain scant, with the perpetrators still unidentified. Mayor Lilia Hansen is advocating for the deployment of B.C.’s gang task force to quell the violence. Expressing deep concern, Hansen emphasized the urgency of halting the escalating situation, stating, “We need a stronger presence.”
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are intensifying their probe into the string of shootings that commenced on July 22, resulting in at least one person being injured and subsequently charged. While the extent of injuries in the latest shooting remains unconfirmed by police and emergency services, local residents reported witnessing individuals being taken to the hospital following the incident.
Sgt. Jaime Moffat affirmed that the detachment is actively collaborating with frontline officers, the serious crime unit, and street enforcement teams to apprehend the perpetrators. Moffat acknowledged the community’s apprehension, assuring that substantial resources are being allocated to identify the responsible parties and prevent further violence.
Concerns are mounting as the new school year approaches, particularly among neighbors residing near the sites of these violent events. Each shooting incident occurred in close proximity to elementary and middle schools, prompting unease among locals. Thomas Whitton, a resident and father of four, expressed shock over the sudden surge in violence near their homes, emphasizing the need for authorities to apprehend those responsible swiftly.
Residents observed bullet holes in the targeted property’s front door, underscoring the potential severity of the situation. Whitton stressed the necessity for law enforcement and judicial authorities to be equipped adequately to ensure the apprehension and incarceration of the perpetrators, emphasizing the community’s collective aversion to such incidents, especially with the imminent return of students to school.
Helen Gilbert, chair of the local board of education for School District 60, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the city’s heightened violence levels and the risk posed to innocent individuals by these incidents. She emphasized that the district’s safety team would prioritize addressing these concerns as the school year commences.
