The Williams Lake Stampede was evacuated this afternoon after witnesses reported hearing gunshots.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Sam Edgar
July 03, 2022 - 4:46 PM
One person is in custody and two people are in the hospital after a shooting at the Williams Lake Stampede grounds this afternoon.
The Williams Lake RCMP were called to a report of a shooting on the stampede grounds just after 3:30 p.m., July 3.
"Two people suffering from unspecified injuries have been taken to a local area hospital and one suspect is in custody. Preliminary information suggests that this incident was targeted and no further risk remains to the public. The investigation is in its infancy and no further information is available at this time," said Sgt. Kris Clark, with the B.C. RCMP, in a press release.
Carole Hudson said her husband and daughter were at the stampede arena when they heard gunshots ring out. The stampede is held each Canada Day long weekend at 800 MacKenzie Ave South.
Hudson's husband was near the bull riding area taking photos and her teenage daughter was buying a t-shirt with a friend when they were told to evacuate, July 3.
“Everyone was running and telling them ‘get out, get out, get out,' so they were evacuating everyone from the arena,’” she said, adding the shots were close to her daughter.
At least one person and loaded into an ambulance, she said. “It just happened maybe 20 minutes ago.” They were ushered into the parking lot.
Sam Edgar, from Bridge Lake, and her family were at the bottom of the grandstands when a young boy started screaming someone was shot, she said.
"My husband, he's the one that busted the red gate open, and we got out of there," she said. "It was pure panic in there."
Her family was not injured in the incident, and they said they didn't hear gunshots. They said the incident happened around 3:30 p.m.
Video of the incident posted online shows attendees evacuating the grandstands.
The Williams Lake RCMP is asking if anyone has information of video of the incident to contact them at 250-392-6211.
- This story was updated at 5:52 p.m. with a comment from the RCMP.
- This story was updated at 5:15 p.m. to include a comment from Edgar.
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