Act of Vigilantism Nets Nine Year Sentence

A BC Supreme Court judge has made a statement about gun violence not being tolerated in Vernon.

31 year old Jacob Lowes was given a nine year prison sentence for his part in a drug-related shootout in Polson Park on August 12, 2014.

Justice Peter Rogers says a stray bullet could have easily injured or killed an innocent bystander.

“It was a massively dangerous thing for him to do,” said Rogers in court Friday.

Lowes was found guilty of assault causing bodily harm and four firearms offences last month.

He chased two men who tried to rob him at his unit at the Green Valley Motel across Highway 97 and into the park.

He fired at least three shots from his .45 caliber handgun, none of which caused any injuries.

Another man, Robin Rochemont, also fired back at him.

Rochemont was later acquitted of several firearms charges as the judge ruled the Crown had not proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Lowes later tossed the gun in the creek behind the motel, which was found later by investigators.

The Crown had called for 10-11.5 years in prison, saying Lowes was a “career criminal,” and adding the act of vigilantism “posed a huge danger to the public in the area.”

The defence sought a 5 to 6 year sentence, saying it was dangerous but added Lowes had also been the subject of a home invasion.

“His statement of remorse and regret sounded somewhat sincere,” stated Rogers about Lowes.

The minimum sentence for crimes involving guns in five years.

Lowes’ sentence works out to 7.5 years in a federal prison, after credit for time already served.