This is the suspect in the July 31, 2021 shooting in the Pandosy area of Kelowna.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/RCMP
August 03, 2021 - 2:23 PM
Kelowna Mounties now say the apparent targeted shooting of a West Kelowna man with known criminal ties shows a dramatic escalation of violence and they're releasing video of the suspect as they ramp up their investigation.
The RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit was called in the day after the July 31 shooting of Kyle Gianis and an unknown Surrey man, after a suspected bomb was found. They safely detonated that device at a secondary location.
“We can now confirm that this was a viable explosive. Based on our examination, this device had the potential to cause significant damage to property and seriously injure members of the public that evening,” Inspector Beth McAndie of the Kelowna RCMP of the RCMP said in a press release.
“This device marks a dramatic escalation in violence and put innocent members of our community in real danger. This is unacceptable to us, and we are doing everything in our power to identify the parties involved in this incident.”
The initial investigation has resulted in the identification of video of a suspect allegedly fleeing the scene after the shooting occurred. The suspect in the video is wearing light coloured pants, and a light coloured sweatshirt with the hood pulled up.
“We are releasing the video at the earliest opportunity in the hopes that someone from the community recognizes the clothing or distinctive gait of this person,” Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy said in a press release. “If you believe you know who this suspect is, we ask you to do the right thing and identify them to us.”
The suspect was seen fleeing the area in a light coloured SUV. As part of the ongoing investigation, Kelowna RCMP is asking for any dash camera footage from vehicles driving on Pandosy Street from KLO Road Harvey Avenue between the hours of 6:20 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. on July 31.
The shooting was just before 7 p.m. July 31, in the area of Pandosy Street and KLO Road in Kelowna.
Both victims were transported to hospital, with Gianis being treated and released the same night and the second victim remaining in hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The area was cordoned off for investigation, and during that time an unexploded improvised explosive device was located.
If you have dashcam footage or information regarding the suspect, you are asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. If you have information regarding the shooter but wish to remain completely anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by leave a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net
To contact a reporter for this story, email Kathy Michaels or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2021