The mayor of Fort St. John is urging for increased provincial police support to address a rise in gun-related incidents near schools in northeastern B.C. This call comes following what authorities believe was the third deliberate shooting at a residence in the city on Friday night.
Mayor Lilia Hansen is advocating for the involvement of B.C.’s gang task force to address the escalating violence in the area. Expressing her concerns, Hansen emphasized the need for a more robust law enforcement presence to tackle the situation effectively.
Law enforcement officials are actively investigating the series of shootings that commenced on July 22, with the latest incident occurring on Friday, although specific details remain limited. While the RCMP has not confirmed any injuries from the recent shooting, local residents reported witnessing at least one individual being transported to the hospital, with suspicions of additional casualties.
Sgt. Jaime Moffat highlighted that the RCMP is prioritizing the identification and apprehension of suspects involved in the shootings. Moffat assured the public that significant resources are being allocated to hold responsible parties accountable and prevent further acts of violence.
As concerns mount with the approach of the new school year, community members living in proximity to the latest shooting scene expressed shock and unease over the sudden surge in violence near educational institutions. Residents, like father of four Thomas Whitton, stressed the need for authorities to allocate adequate resources to apprehend and detain individuals responsible for these incidents.
Whitton, whose children narrowly avoided the targeted home shortly before the shooting, emphasized the importance of enhanced law enforcement efforts to ensure community safety, especially with the imminent return of students to school.
Helen Gilbert, chair of the local board of education for School District 60, echoed similar sentiments, underlining worries about the escalating violence in the city and its potential impact on innocent bystanders. She emphasized the need for continued vigilance and safety measures as the new academic year approaches.