Shooting in Kelowna that sent 2 men to hospital was targeted, say police
Police say they’ve found an explosive device at the scene of a double shooting that happened in Kelowna on Saturday evening.
Kelowna RCMP have also released the name of one of the shooting victims, and allege that his criminal ties make him a threat to the community.
First responders were called to the scene just before 7 p.m. and found two men with gunshot wounds. They were both rushed to hospital, and RCMP say they believe the incident was targeted.
In their investigation, police say they found an explosive. They were still at the scene on Sunday at noon.
“Frontline officers located what is believed to be an undetonated improvised explosive device,” said Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy in a statement. “Police immediately cordoned off the area. It will remain closed until officers with the RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit have safely dealt with the device.”
The incident happened in a busy commercial area near Pandosy Street and KLO Road.
Video taken by an onlooker after the incident shows paramedics working behind yellow tape. Emergency responders can be seen wheeling a man with short hair on a gurney towards a waiting ambulance.
One victim, a 25-year-old Surrey man, was still in hospital as of Sunday midday, and police say his injuries are life-threatening.
The other victim, 37-year-old West Kelowna resident Kyle Gianis, was treated for non-life threatening injuries and has been released from the hospital, say RCMP.
B.C. court documents show that a man named Kyle Alexander Gianis, born in 1983, has a criminal record dating back to 2005. U.S. court documents also show that he was sentenced to 13 years in prison south of the border after an American jury found him guilty of drug smuggling.
Kelowna RCMP allege that Gianis’ criminal ties make him a threat to the community.
“We have reason to believe this was a targeted attack on these two men,” said Insp. Beth McAndie of the Kelowna RCMP in a statement.
“Because of his criminal activities and associates, Mr. Gianis poses a threat to our community and the public in general, and we are putting all our resources into investigating this newest incident.”
According to police, witnesses reported a man fleeing the scene in a silver SUV. No arrests have been made at this time.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 or call Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.