The mayor of Fort St. John is urging the provincial government to enhance police resources in order to combat an increase in gun-related incidents near schools in northeastern British Columbia.
This appeal follows what the RCMP suspects to be a third intentional shooting that occurred on Friday night at a residence in the city.
Details about the incident remain limited, and law enforcement has yet to name any suspects.
Mayor Lilia Hansen is advocating for the involvement of British Columbia’s gang task force to help manage the escalating violence in the area.
“When there’s one shooting, you think, oh, that’s terrible. With two, it becomes evident that this is a serious situation. And with three, it’s clear that action is needed,” Hansen remarked.
“We require a more substantial police presence.”
Bullet holes are visible in the front door of a Fort St. John home, where RCMP reported a targeted shooting occurred on August 14. (Matt Preprost/CBC)
The RCMP has stated that they are focusing on investigating this series of shootings, which began on July 22, when at least one individual was injured and subsequently charged.
While B.C. Emergency Health Services and police have not confirmed any injuries from the shooting on Friday, local residents informed CBC News that they witnessed at least one person being transported to the hospital by ambulance and suspect that there may have been additional injuries.
Sgt. Jaime Moffat stated that the serious crime and street enforcement units are collaborating with patrol officers to locate and apprehend the suspects.
“We understand the worry these events create,” Moffat mentioned in a statement.
“A considerable amount of resources are being allocated to identify those accountable and to prevent further incidents of violence.”
Increasing concerns as the school year approaches
Residents living close to the site of Friday’s shooting expressed their shock and concern regarding the abrupt rise in violence in the city.
Each incident has occurred within a block of local elementary and middle schools.
“In a small town like Fort St. John, this level of violence so near to home, where your children sleep, is unexpected,” said local father Thomas Whitton, who has four children.
Whitton noted that three of his kids walked past the residence targeted in the latest shooting just an hour before the gunfire erupted around 10 p.m.
Search-and-rescue volunteers in Fort St. John assist in searching for evidence outside a home targeted in a shooting on August 14. (Matt Preprost/CBC)
On Saturday afternoon, bullet holes were visible in the front door of the house, while police dogs and search-and-rescue teams scoured a nearby park for evidence.
“This could have ended in tragedy, and that frightens me,” Whitton commented.
He believes that government authorities should provide police and judicial systems with the necessary resources to track down those responsible for the violence and ensure they are detained.
“None of us want this in our community,” he said. “Especially with kids returning to school in less than a month.”
Helen Gilbert, the chair of the local board of education for School District 60, echoed these concerns.
“The level of violence in the city, along with the potential for innocent individuals to be harmed in these drive-by shootings, is deeply troubling,” she expressed.
“As we approach the school year, this will be a topic of discussion for our district safety team.”
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