Photo: Madison Erhardt
1850 KLO Rd
UPDATE: 2:20 p.m
The victim of Tuesday night’s shooting is “connected to criminal organizations,” according to Kelowna’s top cop.
During a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, the sd. Kara Triance reiterated that the victim is not expected to survive the shooting, after he was shot outside the Shell gas station near the corner of KLO and Benvoulin roads around 10 p.m.
Police were alerted to the shooting by staff at Kelowna General Hospital, when the victim was dropped off by someone in a vehicle. Sup. Triance said they have not yet identified the person who dropped off the victim and a suspect has not yet been identified in the shooting.
Sup. Triance said he can’t say the shooting was related to the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict at this time, but said the victim is connected to criminal organizations.
“This individual is known to the police and is connected to criminal organizations,” he said. “So there will be a substantial investigation that will continue and ongoing updates as we move forward in that investigation.”
The Kelowna RCMP is “working very closely” with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, BC’s anti-gang police agency.
“I am always concerned when we have violence in public spaces and activities related to organized crime in our community; that to me is deeply troubling,” said Supt. Triance.
“However, we believe it was a specific incident [involving] extremely focused individuals who were well known to each other.”
He noted that investigators do not believe the shooting was related to last Friday’s murder.
UPDATE: Noon
Kelowna RCMP have confirmed a Lower Mainland man is in Kelowna General Hospital suffering from a gunshot wound he received Tuesday night.
In a news release, police say an “unidentified associate” brought the man to KGH around 10 p.m. As a result, the hospital was closed.
St. Mike Della-Paolera says the shooting victim is not expected to survive his injuries.
Police have confirmed the shooting took place outside the Shell gas station on the corner of KLO and Benvoulin. There are indications that the shooting is related to people well known to the police.
“Incidents of this nature are, to say the least, concerning, we believe this was a specific incident. Police want to reassure the public that there is a team of dedicated resources assigned to this investigation and want to make sure that the safety of the citizens of Kelowna remains our primary focus,” said Inspector Beth McAndie.
Kelowna RCMP are asking if anyone has dash cam footage or witnessed this incident to contact the RCMP at (250) 762-3300.
Or leave an anonymous tip at The Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.net
Photo: Madison Erhardt
ORIGINAL 10:15 a.m
Police responded to a shooting Tuesday night at the Shell gas station at Benvoulin and KLO Roads.
Details are limited at this time, but a Kelowna RCMP spokesperson says the shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. Police learned of the shooting when a person with a gunshot wound arrived at Kelowna General Hospital.
Interior Health confirmed that the emergency department at Kelowna General Hospital was placed on restricted access yesterday evening as a precaution at the request of the RCMP.
“It reopened when we received full clearance from the police,” IH said in a statement.
The victim’s condition is not known at this time. A full press release is expected later today.
The gas station has since reopened for business, but there are orange chalk marks at the scene of the shooting.