The mayor of Fort St. John is urging for increased provincial police resources to address a rise in gun violence near schools in northeastern B.C. This plea follows what authorities believe was the third targeted shooting at a residence in the city on Friday night. Specific details on the incidents remain limited, with no suspects identified thus far.
Mayor Lilia Hansen is advocating for the deployment of B.C.’s gang task force to tackle the escalating violence in the city. Expressing her concern, Hansen emphasized the urgency of halting the series of shootings, stating, “We need a stronger presence.”
Law enforcement officials are actively investigating the shootings that commenced on July 22, with at least one individual reportedly injured and subsequently charged. While the recent shooting on Friday has not been confirmed to have caused injuries by police or emergency services, local residents recounted witnessing at least one person being transported to the hospital by ambulance, suspecting additional casualties.
Sgt. Jaime Moffat disclosed that the detachment’s serious crime and street enforcement units are collaborating with frontline officers to apprehend suspects. Moffat acknowledged the public unease triggered by these events, assuring that substantial resources are dedicated to identifying the perpetrators and preventing further violence.
Concerns are mounting among residents living near the site of the latest shooting, particularly due to its close proximity to elementary and middle schools. Thomas Whitton, a father of four, expressed surprise and distress over the sudden surge in violence near residential areas, emphasizing the need for authorities to allocate adequate resources to combat the issue.
As investigations continue and with the new school year approaching, stakeholders like Helen Gilbert, chair of the local board of education for School District 60, underscored the importance of addressing the escalating violence to ensure the safety of the community, especially innocent bystanders who could be inadvertently harmed in such incidents.