Shooting at Williams Lake, B.C. stampede injures 2, forces evacuation
Two people are injured and a third is in custody after what RCMP describe as a "public shooting" at a rodeo in B.C. Sunday.
Police say they were called to the Williams Lake Stampede grounds around 3:30 p.m.
"Two people suffering from unspecified injuries have been taken to a local area hospital and one suspect is in custody. Preliminary information suggests that this incident was targeted and no further risk remains to the public," Mounties said in a statement.
"The investigation is in its infancy and no further information is available at this time."
According to a Facebook update from stampede president Court Smith, the thousands in attendance were told to evacuate by an announcement over the loudspeaker during the bull riding event.
"There were no other injuries. Our announcer did a fantastic job of having people exit the facility," he said in a Facebook video, noting the investigation is ongoing and thanking the RCMP for its swift response.
This photo, submitted by Kevin Li, shows the RCMP on scene after a shooting at the Williams Lake Stampede on July 3, 2022.
This weekend marked a return of the event after two years of COVID-19-related cancellations.
Laureen Carruthers was there at the time, enjoying the end of what she described as a "perfect rodeo weekend" when the shooting occurred. She was in the ring taking photos for the association at the time.
"There was just suddenly some type of commotion. We didn't really understand anything that was going on. I saw the clown jump over the fence and go up into the stands," she tells CTV News.
"At that point I thought it was part of the clown show."
This photo taken by Laureen Carruthers shows rodeo clown Jayson Charters, from Merritt, performing at the 2022 Williams Lake Stampede.
When she heard instructions to evacuate she realized that was not what was happening at all. But she said the scene was not chaotic, crediting the announcer with setting the tone by speaking calmly and providing clear instructions.
"There were people helping, people in wheelchairs being carried down the steps and out through the actual rodeo arena and through the gates where the contestants are," she recalls.
"Everybody was really trying hard to help those around them. There was no panic at all. It was handled incredibly well."
Although she was initially worried for her mother and son who were in the stands, she has since learned they both got out safely.
She says the mood over the weekend was jubilant, with a sold-out crowd enjoying the return of a beloved annual tradition.
"It was just one of the all-around best rodeos I've ever been to," she said, adding she's lived in Williams Lake for 53 years and always looks forward to the way the city comes alive on the weekend of the event.
"It's just a horribly, horribly sad ending to an absolutely perfect weekend."
The RCMP is asking anyone who has footage or information to contact investigators by calling at 250-392-6211.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
What Michael Cohen said on the stand in Trump hush money case
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Behind the barricades: How protesters spend their first days in a new encampment
Students in Montreal describe life in a newly erected encampment in Montreal as a whirlwind of preparations, from facing rain and a potential police crackdown to setting up a space for the exchange of ideas.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Next 48 hours will be 'extremely challenging' for B.C. wildfire crews near Fort Nelson: officials
A wildfire burning dangerously close to Fort Nelson, B.C., has grown to more than 50 square kilometres, and officials are warning that the blaze's behaviour is expected to become more volatile over the next 48 hours.
Southern Ont. man charged with attempted murder in Timmins shooting
One of two men wanted for attempted murder in Timmins has been arrested, while a warrant has been issued for a second suspect, who fled police on foot.