B.C. man who survived two shooting attempts dead after being found with self-inflicted wounds: RCMP

It appears an Okanagan man who survived two shooting attempts during the past six months died from a self-inflicted injury early Thursday.

According to police, an investigation is underway following an incident in Enderby where one man died and two women suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

It’s believed the man is Kyle Gianis of West Kelowna, though police did not directly give the man’s name.

“The B.C. RCMP can confirm that the man was one of the two individuals targeted in a Kelowna shooting on July 31 and was the subject of a public warning,” police said in a press release on Thursday.

Police say they notified the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO), which will be doing its own investigation.

The IIO also issued a press release on Thursday, stating the man had sustained an injury that appears to have been self-inflicted.

“It is reported that when officers located the man at approximately 2 a.m., police, including members of the Southeast District Emergency Response Team, cautiously approached with the use of tear gas and a 40mm less-lethal round and observed the man to be in medical distress.”

1:58 RCMP release video of suspect in Kelowna gang shooting and confirm live bomb found at scene

Going back a few days, on July 31, Gianis and another man were shot along Pandosy Street in Kelowna.

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Gianis was released from hospital, while the other man, a 25-year-old from Surrey, remains in hospital.

Following that double shooting on July 31, RCMP issued a rare statement identifying Gianis, though not the Surrey man.

We have reason to believe this was a targeted attack on these two men, Insp. Beth McAndie of the Kelowna RCMP said on Aug. 1.

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.

Police also released video footage of the suspect.

1:49 Pandosy shooting: Not the first time man shot has been targeted

Police say Thursday’s incident involved an alleged double stabbing of two women, and a “male suspect who was acting erratically due to possible drug impairment at a campground near Enderby.”

Police say multiple officers, including members of the Southeast District Emergency Response Team, rushed to the scene at 12 a.m.

“The area was cordoned off and search was launched for the man which included the use of a police dog,” said police.

“At approximately 2 a.m., officers located the man down an embankment near a river who was in medical distress due to what appeared to be self-inflicted injuries and began providing medical attention until Emergency Health Services was able to take over.”

RCMP say despite the efforts of police and medical personnel, the man died at the scene.

The IIO said “officers provided first aid at approximately 3 a.m., until Emergency Health Services arrived. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.”

1:58 Anonymous donor provides legacy for shooting victim Paul Bennett

The double shooting was also the fourth attempt on Gianis’ life since 2017.

He was the intended target of a gang hit three years ago which claimed the life of Paul Bennett — an innocent man.

Bennett, an operating room nurse, minor hockey coach and devoted father of two, was shot to death in his Surrey driveway in June 2018 in a case of mistaken identity.

Bennett’s killer has not been caught.