A group of friends narrowly escaped injury after being shot at multiple times in Penticton.
RCMP responded to a report of shots fired just before 2:00 a.m. on Sunday near Wade Avenue East and Van Horne Street.
“When Frontline police officers arrived at the location, they learned a group of friends were walking back from a social event when they were approached by an unknown male,” Const. James Grandy said in a press release.
“The unknown male singled out one of the men and began to assault him. One of the other members of the group intervened to try and protect their friend. As they were fending off the male, another unknown male approached from a distance, presented a handgun, and fired several indiscriminate shots.”
The alarming incident was captured by Steve Richmond’s security cameras.
“We heard the first bang and I actually yelled at everybody in the house to get on the ground because I knew what it was, it’s pretty close to the house,” said Richmond.
“Even last night I took the dog out, and you know I was a little on ease, you know is someone going to jump out at me?”
Across the street, bullets sprayed Yannick Janssens’ home hitting her fence, wall, and barbeque.
The room just above the barbeque is where her mom and newborn were moments before the incident.
“We came home 30 minutes before it happened. And you know baby couldn’t sleep and my mom was soothing him and walking him around the house,” said Janssens.
She went on to say that the incident could have been a lot worse.
“It’s disheartening and it sucks to have that happen. Kind of glad no one got hurt, glad baby was okay and my parents and my husband and everything and we’re all good and no one got hurt so happy that it didn’t get any worse,” said Janssens.
The group of men from out of town were able to get away uninjured.
Penticton RCMP says this appears to be a non-targeted altercation with an unknown motive.
RCMP is investigating and looking for witnesses, as well as gathering video surveillance. They have also released descriptions of the suspects in hopes of identifying them.
The first suspect is described as short and “wearing a dark hooded sweater with the hood pulled down over his face.” The second suspect is reported as “taller, stock and wearing a white t-shirt.”
If you have any information about the incident contact the Penticton RCMP at 250-492-4300, or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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