Sgt M.K.Poppy Hallam
Fort St. James RCMP
The Fort St. James RCMP continue to investigate a high risk situation of shots fired.
On Saturday October 10, 2015 at approximately 12:56 am Fort St. James RCMP were called to a complaint of shots fired in Tl’azt’en Nation, approximately 40 minutes north of Fort St. James.
One officer happened to be up in Tl’azt’en at the time of the call and responded. The officer was near the Tl’azt’en Main when he observed a pickup truck with bullet holes through the windshield and the side windows were smashed out. He exited his police vehicle to have a further look when he heard a loud gun shot, a firearm cycling and saw persons walking toward the pickup truck and his police vehicle.
911 calls were coming in advising police of possible suspect names and their location.
The officer waited for backup which first included officers from Fort St. James, Vanderhoof and the Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Service from Prince George. Once the additional officers attended, a search of Tl’atz’en was conducted and two male suspects were arrested from two separate residences without incident.
Officers remained on scene all morning searching for evidence and located the firearm used, a 30-30 lever action rifle. While interviewing witnesses, it was learned the firearm was discharged in the direction of a pedestrian and struck the soffit of a nearby residence. Witnesses also provided information that a third suspect was involved. That third male was taken into custody without incident.
The three males, all adults from Tl’azt’en Nation, were held in custody and will make an appearance in Prince George Provincial Court on Wednesday October 14, 2015. At this time, their names are not being released. Several firearms and mischief related charges are being sought as well as all three males were on court and or police imposed conditions and were not complying with those conditions.
Forensic Identification Section from Prince George attended and examined the scenes.
“This was a very high risk situation and thankfully no one was hurt. Our officers utilized all available resources to resolve this quickly with minimal risk to police and public.” Said Staff Sergeant S.M. Wadelius, Detachment Commander of Fort St. James RCMP.
Fort St. James RCMP would first like to thank the public for their assistance during this event. Police are still investigating and are asking for the public’s assistance to come forward with any information and have not yet spoken directly with a police officer. Please call the Fort St. James RCMP at (250) 996-8269.