Witnesses reported hearing three gunshots at the Rock City City on Thursday, May 20. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

SHOTS FIRED

Daytime shooting at Rock City Centre kills one, draws massive police response

May 20, 2021 | 4:06 PM

NANAIMO — One person is dead after a brazen daytime shooting along the Island Hwy.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien confirmed to NanaimoNewsNOW one person was found dead of gunshot wounds in a car at Rock City Centre near the back of the Wendy’s after a shooting around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 20.

Several suspects were arrested within an hour at the Best Western hotel in north Nanaimo.

“This is a very dynamic investigation,” O’Brien said. “We simply cannot confirm if there are others not in custody who were involved in this shooting.”

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When asked if this was gang-related or targetted shooting, O’Brien it was too early to speculate or confirm.

Witnesses at Rock City Centre told NanaimoNewsNOW they heard five gunshots.

Michael Mercer, who lives in the area, said gunshots were heard several nights before Thursday’s shooting.

“Today we heard five pops and then we saw a white [SUV] with a white male driving around the corner. He looked like he was going pretty fast, it happened right after the shots were fired.”

It’s believed the white SUV then drove back the way it came and drove away.

O’Brien confirmed the vehicle was secured at the Best Western.

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