Fort St. John RCMP are actively investigating a second targeted drive-by shooting in recent weeks after gunfire struck multiple homes and vehicles early Thursday morning.
Emergency crews responded shortly after 1:30 a.m. Thursday to a residential multiplex located near the city's downtown, directly across from a seniors' apartment building. Investigators discovered bullet holes riddle a travel trailer, two neighbouring homes, and a vehicle.
Miraculously, police confirmed that no occupants or bystanders were injured during the discharge of firearms. “This is believed to be a targeted incident in which thankfully, nobody was injured," said Const. Christiaan Dreyer in a statement.
The brazen early-morning violence marks a troubling trend for the northeastern B.C. hub. This is the second drive-by shooting to shake Fort St. John in recent weeks, following a separate July 22 drive-by shooting in a different neighbourhood that resulted in one arrest.
Local leadership quickly spoke out regarding the community's anxiety over the escalating gun violence.
"This is and was scary for residents in the neighbourhood," city councillor Trevor Bolin wrote on social media. "Council does not take this lightly and will exhaust all resources in our ability to get answers and preserve neighbourhood safety."
In response to the volatile situation, Const. Dreyer noted that the detachment is heavily redirecting its assets. The Serious Crimes Unit and the Street Enforcement Team have both been deployed to specifically target the recent spike in local gun violence.
The immediate area surrounding the multiplex remained closed to the public on Thursday as forensic teams and investigators canvassed the neighbourhood for witnesses and collected physical evidence. Mounties noted that the crime scene was being held securely while awaiting the formal approval of a search warrant.
At this stage in the investigation, police have no suspects and no vehicle descriptions available to share with the public.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the event or noticed suspicious activity to step forward. Investigators are specifically looking for:
- Dashcam footage from drivers in the downtown area around 1:30 a.m. Thursday
- Home surveillance or smart doorbell video from neighbouring properties
- Information regarding unidentified vehicles speeding away from the scene
Anyone with information is asked to immediately contact the Fort St. John RCMP or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.
-News97.ca with files from CBC
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