Merritt RCMP blocked off part of Quilchena Ave on Nov. 21, 2022, which was the latest in a week of responses since a shooting on Nov. 15.
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November 22, 2022 - 2:27 PM
Merritt RCMP have been busy with warrants, standoffs and arrests since the community awoke to three targeted shootings last week.
on Nov. 15.
A shooting on Nov. 15 was the first of a string of incidents before a second shooting on Friday, Nov. 18. Three men were arrested later that day before police executed more warrants in the small Nicola Valley community.
Merritt RCMP took a more proactive approach this week when officers executed warrants on both Nov. 20 and 21.
"We don't believe there is a risk to public safety as we believe all these incident were targeted and we are hopeful that the arrests made on Friday will quell what has been taking place," Merritt RCMP Sgt. Josh Roda told iNFOnews.ca in an emailed response. "The incidents since have been police initiated as we have been executing warrants at different properties."
READ MORE: iN VIDEO: Shots fired in Merritt armed standoff
A violent standoff at a Granite Avenue home Sunday night was followed by another standoff less than five blocks away the next day.
Police closed off part of Quilchena Avenue yesterday, Nov. 21, as they executed another search warrant.
Sgt. Roda didn't say how many people were arrested in either raid but no further charges have been laid since the three men on Friday were arrested for taking a hostage.
"We believe all of the incidents since Nov. 15, are likely related but we are still sifting through mountains of evidence and will be for months to come," Roda said.
READ MORE: Merritt RCMP arrest three men for kidnapping after officers heard gunshot
Merritt residents were blocked from accessing part of downtown yesterday afternoon as the heavily-armed Emergency Response Team and an explosives team cordoned off the area.
It's not clear whether there was a tangible threat of an explosive during the response. Roda said their arrival was "part of their standard practice."
Merritt RCMP called in the Emergency Response Team three times in the past week, including yesterday's incident on Quilchena Avenue.
The first callout on Friday led to the arrest of three men who were charged for taking a hostage.
Then the highly-trained and heavily-armed squad helped the detachment during the Granite Avenue standoff on Sunday, where police had the home surrounded on all sides. Witnesses recorded windows being shot out, tear gas deployed and fences broken to gain entry to the home.
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