RCMP continue to investigate the murder at the Kamloops Howard Johnson Motel.

(DARREN RATHWELL / iNFOnews.ca)

Kamloops Mounties have now identified the suspects in a Saturday night killing, and say that they and the victim were known to one another.

Kamloops RCMP officers responded Feb.13 around 7:50 p.m., to a report of shots fired at the Howard Johnson Motel on the 500-block of Columbia Street. When police arrived, they found a man in his 20s, who had been shot dead in one of the rooms. The Serious Crime Unit was called in to take over the investigation.

"So far, police have identified suspects and believe the act of violence to be related to the low-level drug trade," RCMP said in a press release. 

"Police believe the homicide was targeted and there is no immediate safety concern to the general public."

The murder scene at the Howard Johnson, as well as two rooms at the Star Lodge, were held as part of the investigation to be searched by police teams including the Forensic Identification Services. Police are also conducting interviews and neighbourhood inquiries, and collecting any video footage that may be available.

Recently, the Kamloops RCMP Detachment has witnessed a steady increase in violence and disturbances associated to low-end drug dealers and debt collectors.

“Although the circumstances surrounding this murder are still under investigation, it’s the same type of violence we have experienced in Kamloops before, involving low-end participants of the illegal drug trade who use violence as a business practice,”  Serious Crime Sgt,, Nestor Baird said in a press release.

“If you are involved in the drug trade at any level, now is the time to rethink the choices you are making and to reach out to other people and agencies that can help you leave that lifestyle behind,” he added.

If anyone has any information related to this investigation, please contact Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and reference file number 2021-4173.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.
 

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