Kamloops RCMP Inspector Steve McLeod speaks with media regarding two fatal shootings that occurred yesterday, Jan. 23 at the police detachment on Battle Street.

(KAREN EDWARDS / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops RCMP say around 50 investigators are working around the clock on the shooting deaths of two men in the city yesterday believed to be the work of organized crime.

Cody Marcel Mathieu, 31, of Kamloops was found shot at the Super 8 Hotel and Rex Edward Gill, 41, of Penticton was the shooting victim at the Comfort Inn and Suites. Police say only Mathieu was previously known to police but believe both men were targeted.

Kamloops RCMP Insp. Steve McLeod spoke to media today, Jan. 24, regarding the two homicides that took place within hours of each other yesterday. Kamloops RCMP are currently on their second day of investigating the two homicides in Valleyview and in Aberdeen.

Police responded to a call at 6:50 a.m. at the Super 8 Hotel in Valleyview after a man was found lying on the ground and suffering from a gunshot wound. Roughly two hours later, RCMP then received a second call regarding another man who had been shot outside of the Comfort Inn and Suites in Aberdeen.

So far, no arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified. However, a white vehicle that was at the scene of the Comfort Inn and Suites homicide matches the description of a vehicle that was found burning in the Barnhartvale area later in the day yesterday.

McLeod says they are currently investigating the two incidents as related since they occurred within hours of each other and believe organized crime was behind yesterday's violence. 

There is no indication yesterday's fatal shootings in Kamloops are connected to Kelowna's police takedown yesterday evening or a recent homicide in Cache Creek, police say.

Kamloops RCMP have requested support from the Southeast District Major Crime Unit, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and the Uniformed Gang Task Force for these investigations.

Kamloops RCMP were called out to the Comfort Inn and Suites at around 8:50 a.m. yesterday, Jan. 23 in Aberdeen. A man was transported to the hospital after suffering gunshot wounds. He later died of his injuries.

(KAREN EDWARDS / iNFOnews.ca)

Crime scene tape blocks off the road in front of the Super 8 hotel in Valleyview where a man was shot on Jan. 23, 2019, and later died of his injuries.

(KAREN EDWARDS / iNFOnews.ca)

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