A parking lot on 43rd Avenue has been filled with police officers and vehicles after a shooting incident. (Submitted photo)
Update: 4 pm
Police say given the time of day at the site, it’s fortunate no one else was injured.
Officers responded to a shopping complex parking lot in the 2700 block of 43rd Avenue just before noon today, and found a man in a vehicle with gunshot wounds.
He’s being treated in hospital for life threatening injuries.
Cst. Kelly Brett says it appears to be a targeted event, with no word on suspects at this point.
Nearby Seaton Secondary was on lunch break at the time, and the school was put on lockdown for 30 minutes as a precaution.
The school sent a letter home to parents, saying extra counsellors would be available to any students who witnessed anything or had concerns.
(Pete McIntyre/Beach Radio News)
Update: 3:24 pm
RCMP continue to investigate a shooting near a Vernon shopping complex in what they call a targeted incident.
“On May 7th, 2018, just before 12:00 pm the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP responded to a report of a shooting located at 2707 43rd, Ave,” says an RCMP news release. Police responded and found a lone male in a vehicle with gunshot wounds.”
The victim is in hospital with life threatening injuries.
“Preliminary information suggests this was a targeted event and police do not feel public safety is at risk,” says Cst. Kelly Brett. “Given the time of day and the location, it is fortunate no other people were injured during this incident.”
The investigation is on-going and there is no further information being released at this time.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at 250-545-7171. Or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or leaving a tip online at www.nokscrimestoppers.com.
(By Pete McIntyre Beach Radio News)
Update: 1:25 pm
RCMP have released a few details about a shooting in a Vernon parking lot in what they call “an unfolding police incident.”
“The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are currently on scene investigating a shooting that occurred in the 2700 block of 43rd Avenue just before noon,” says Cst. Kelly Brett. “The investigation is in its early stages at this time. As the shooting appears to be targeted, public safety is not at risk.”
Brett says members of the media and public are asked to stay clear of the area to allow police to conduct their investigation.
“If you have any information in relation to this incident and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to call the Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171.”
Brett says further details will be released once they become available.
Police have not released any details about who was shot, or what condition they may be in.
(Pete McIntyre/Beach Radio News)
Update 1 pm:
There continues to be a large police presence at a Vernon parking lot off 43rd Avenue next to the Dollar Store and BDM Motorsports.
Police have not issued details yet, except to confirm a lockdown at Seaton Secondary — which is across the street — has ended, and the incident does not involve the school.
There was a first responder dispatch report indicating a person was in a vehicle with a gunshot wound, but that has not been confirmed.
RCMP spokesperson, Cst. Kelly Brett says she is working on releasing more information.
Update: 12:30 pm
Vernon RCMP spokesperson, Cst. Kelly Brett says, “the school is no longer on lock down. It does not affect the school.”
Brett says she is expecting to release more details this afternoon.
12 pm: Update:
Maritza Reilly from the Vernon School District tells Beach Radio News: “We can confirm Seaton is on lockdown, however, we are referring any comments or questions to the RCMP as they investigate this matter.”
RCMP have so far not issued any details.
RCMP and ambulance personnel are on the scene in a business parking lot at 2707-43rd Avenue after reports of a person with a gunshot wound in a vehicle.
The parking lot is where Dollar Tree and other businesses are located.
One parent of a student at Seaton School says she was sent a text message from her daughter saying the school was on lockdown.
We have messages into police and the school board for more details.
