Only hours before a planned anti-violence rally, three people were injured in a shooting at a Squamish First Nation powwow in West Vancouver.
Shots were fired around 11:15 p.m. Saturday night after an altercation just outside of the annual ceremony at the Capilano First Nation Reserve.
Cpl. Fred Harding says three people were shot and wounded but all of the victims were "conscious and alert" when they were transported to hospital.
A man, who only wanted to be identified as Matthew, was at the scene.
"One of the guys didn't look in too rough a shape," he said. "There was a girl laid out and another guy lying there. They were all screaming."
Witnesses tell CTV News the dispute began when two drunken young men were denied access to the substance-free event and were asked to leave. It is believed that's when one man came back and shot two men and a woman, Amanda Thomas-George.
Thomas-George was only grazed on the hip by a bullet, and is already out of the hospital. The other victims are still recovering.
"I know at least one of them has a bullet lodged in him so that is serious," Harding said. "And they are still in hospital."
Police do not have any anyone in custody but are hoping video cameras posted outside the Reserve gates will provide more information about the suspects -- who fled the scene.
A community investigation
Squamish Nation peacekeepers, as well as chiefs and council in the community, are assisting with the police investigation.
"The community is giving as much support as they can to find out who is responsible for this despicable crime," Harding said.
Squamish Nation Chief Bill Williams is urging peace and cooperation.
"We hope the people who were around there -- and there were a number of people at the powwow and the powwow was just closing down -- that they come forward and speak about what they saw and what they heard," Williams said.
Community members such as Jackie Paul believe violence is an escalating problem on First Nations reserves in British Columbia.
"I hear it from other Nations, you know, how bad it is on their reserves," Paul said. "It all boils down to drugs and alcohol."
A move to end violence
It is believed the shooting led to a higher-than-average turnout in Sunday morning's Fifth Annual Sex Abuse Rally, outside St Paul's Church on W. Esplanade.
Harding said the event was started to give a voice to victims of violence and condemn acts of violence in the home.
"The incident is unfortunate, but the rally highlights the need for everyone to be vigilant and the community is not going to stand for this type of action," Harding said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the West Vancouver Police Department at 604-925-7300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.