Suspects uncooperative after Vernon shooting that had ‘potential for great tragedy’

VERNON – Police say two groups of people with ties to criminal activity were involved in an alleged shooting incident last week in Vernon. One group got away, and the other has been less than cooperative with investigators. 

According to Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy, neighbours called 911 last Wednesday, Sept. 23, to report shots fired at a townhouse complex on 43 Avenue. Police believe the shooting was part of a confrontation between two groups and that it occurred in the parking lot outside the townhouse.

One group, which police are still trying to identify, left in a dark vehicle, while five others were arrested at the scene. They have since been released without charges.

“The people we have been dealing with in regards to this incident — directly involved with it — have been less than cooperative,” Noseworthy says.

Police say the individuals are known to police and believe the incident was a result of their criminal activity. Noseworthy would not say what type of criminal activity the groups are suspected of being involved in.

Officers continue to investigate the incident and Noseworthy says charges could still be laid against the five released suspects as the case moves forward.

Police continue to guard various details about the investigation, such as the number of shots fired, the calibre of the firearm, and whether the weapon was recovered from the scene. Officers are asking anyone with unreported information to come forward.

“We are concerned in general that this happened in such a residential area. There are children in that complex area, there are families, there are other people. For something like this to happen, it had the potential for great tragedy,” Noseworthy says.

Anyone with information can contact the Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.