STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
Local business owner Clint Smith was shot in this Terminal Ave. parking lot after an altercation with a group of people at a nearby encampment, over allegedly stolen tools from Smith's mechanics shop. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)
bail hearing

Man allegedly involved in Terminal Ave. shooting granted bail

Mar 31, 2023 | 2:48 PM

NANAIMO — A local man accused of being involved in an altercation along Terminal Ave., where shots were fired at a group of people, has been granted bail.

Craig Edward Truckle, 37, appeared in provincial court in Nanaimo on Friday, March 31 on the charge of pointing a firearm without lawful excuse, laid in connection to a March 12 shooting on Terminal Ave.

Judge Ron Lamperson granted the recommendation from Crown Counsel’s James Kulla for bail of Truckle, who is being represented by defence lawyer Scott Sheets.

The nature of the charge against Truckle does not indicate whether he fired a weapon, or struck anyone directly. To date, it’s the only charge laid stemming from the incident.

A publication ban has been placed on the file, prohibiting the reporting of any details presented in court to protect the integrity of future proceedings.

Truckle will next appear in court on April 11.

The charge came nearly two weeks after the incident where a local business owner was shot after a fight broke out at a nearby encampment.

Clint Smith, owner of Ernie’s Blackpoint Repair, was with a group of roughly six people, and went into the encampment to retrieve tools he believed were stolen from his business.

After leaving the encampment, the group were allegedly chased by several people with multiple shots fired including at least one hitting Smith in the abdomen.

Truckle’s criminal history dates back to 2003 and includes charges of theft, possession of stolen property, breaches of undertaking and failing to appear.

In the aftermath of the shooting, several public safety demonstrations were held with renewed calls for senior government action around criminal justice reform and treatment for mental health and addictions.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW