Nanaimo RCMP arrested Darian Scott Rogers, 26, after he allegedly pointed a gun at teenagers driving by on Departure Bay Rd. Police believe the gun was loaded at the time. (NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

alarming incident

Nanaimo man arrested after pointing suspected loaded, prohibited handgun at teenagers

Sep 21, 2021 | 3:46 PM

NANAIMO — Local Mounties arrested a man who they believe pointed a loaded handgun at a vehicle with four people inside as they drove past on Departure Bay Rd.

RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said it happened on Sept. 4 around 2 a.m. when the people inside the car saw the suspect pointing and tracking their vehicle with a gun near Wingrove St.

The four quickly left the area, pulled over to a safe place and reported what they saw.

“They called immediately to us, they gave a detailed description of where it happened, what the gun looked like and the individual who was pointing it. Our members got there as quick as they could,” O’Brien said.

Police arrested the suspect nearby without incident.

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Darian Scott Rogers, 26, was later charged by Crown Counsel with three firearms offences including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

He remains in custody pending a future bail hearing.

A photo of the gun recovered by Nanaimo RCMP from along Departure Bay Rd. after a suspect allegedly pointed it at a car passing by. Police said the Smith & Wesson pistal and a live bullet compatible with it were discarded near the scene. (submitted photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

A Police Service Dog was tasked to the scene and found a nine millimeter handgun discarded near where the suspect was arrested, while a live bullet compatible with the gun was also separately discarded and recovered, O’Brien said.

The police investigation indicates the suspect was pointing a loaded handgun.

“That’s the only conclusion that we’re left with if we found that ammunition,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW. “We’re matching up the ammunition to that gun and we’re pretty confident our forensics people will be able to match it.”

Police emphasized the “extremely helpful” actions of the witnesses to help diffuse the situation.

O’Brien said the witnesses all under the age of 20 demonstrated great poise and awareness by providing exactly the information responded police required.

“Kuddos to them, we’re hoping to at some point to formally acknowledge the efforts they put in.”

Court records showed Rogers was on probation when the offence occurred.

His criminal record includes serving 20 months in jail for a 2016 assault in Nanaimo in which he was also handed a 10-year firearms ban.

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