RCMP seek 'armed and dangerous' suspect in Canada Day shooting, probe links to other incidents in Okanagan
Update, July 7: Mounties announced Thursday that Gallagher had turned himself in late Wednesday night. More information can be found here. The original story follows.
Mounties in B.C.'s Okanagan are asking for help locating a suspect in a Canada Day shooting while exploring the possibility that he was also responsible for two other shootings in the area in the days prior.
Steven Marlo Gallagher, 29, is considered "armed and dangerous," according to a statement issued Wednesday by the Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen RCMP.
At around 7 p.m. on July 1, officers were called to an area known as "White Sands" on the east side Osoyoos Lake, the detachment says in a press release.
The victim was a 22-year-old man from Maple Ridge.
"(He) was with friends getting ready to watch the Canada Day fireworks when a male from another group started an altercation before pulling out a gun, firing multiple rounds and shooting the victim before fleeing the area," the statement continues, noting the injuries suffered were not life-threatening.
A spokesperson told CTV News that although Gallagher did not know the victim, he did know "some of the victim's friends."
That shooting followed two others in Penticton on June 26 and 28, respectively. The RCMP says investigators are "reviewing all evidence to determine whether there is a link."
In the first incident, according to the Penticton RCMP, shots were fired at around 2 a.m. after a group of friends was "approached by an unknown male" who "began to assault" a member of the group.
When another member of the group stepped in, a second "unknown male" fired a gun. No one was hit by what the statement from police describes as "indiscriminate shots."
Police went on to say the group was from out of town and did not know the suspects.
"Miraculously, no one was seriously harmed as a result of this alarming incident," Const. James Grandy wrote.
"This appears to be a non-targeted altercation with an unknown motive."
In the June 28 shooting, shots were fired at police while they were conducting a traffic stop around 1 a.m. No one was hit but the statement issued by police says an RCMP cruiser was left "riddled with bullets."
Anyone who sees Gallagher is urged not to approach him and instead to call 911. Those with information about his whereabouts are also asked to call emergency dispatchers immediately.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza's Rafah ahead of an expected assault
The Israeli army on Monday ordered tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza's southern city of Rafah to start evacuating from the area, signalling that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent.