WEST KELOWNA – The man arrested after a woman was shot Monday night inside a house on the Westbank First Nation reserve has now been charged.
Evan Anthony Swite, 28, is being held in custody on charges of aggravated assault and possessing a firearm in violation of a court order.
The victim, 31-year-old Mellissa Courchene, remains in hospital in serious but stable condition.
She is Swite’s live-in girlfriend.
Courchene reportedly was shot once in the head but it was more of a glancing blow than a direct hit.
A neighbour says Swite came to his house after the shooting asking to use a phone to call 9-1-1.
“I seen her getting hauled out on a gurney into the ambulance and him being arrested,” says Joedy White. “She was moving but did not look in very good shape.”
Swite has a court appearance on July 18, possibly for a bail hearing.
He has a criminal history including convictions for theft, uttering threats and unauthorized possession of a gun.
A five year ban on possessing firearms was in effect when Swite was arrested for the shooting.