Emergency responders flooded the Nanaimo Parkway near the East Wellington overpass following a shooting on Aug. 1, 2022. (submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

ongoing case

Bail granted to Nanaimo man charged with attempted murder as witnesses no-show

Apr 20, 2023 | 5:29 AM

NANAIMO — A man accused of unloading a shotgun blast into the shoulder of a fellow homeless individual last summer has been granted an interim release.

Robert Allen Estes, 49, received bail by a judge after three witnesses, including the victim, failed to showed up for a scheduled preliminary inquiry on Wednesday, April 19.

Estes had been in custody since early November 2022 and a lack of cooperation from the witnesses would negatively impact the strength of the Crown’s case.

“These are serious charges, the Crown’s not simply going to say that a stay of proceedings is appropriate at this stage,” the Crown’s Basil McCormick told court prior to the bail hearing.

Estes was charged with attempted murder after a 43-year-old man was allegedly shot at close range following what police called a disagreement near the Nanaimo Parkway south of Northfield Rd. on Aug. 1, 2022.

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The victim sustained life-threatening injuries and nearly had to have an arm amputated following the incident.

Grossly incorrect rumours spread on social media after the incident, suggesting an active shooter was at large when in fact the suspect was arrested shortly after.

The preliminary inquiry was adjourned to a later date, which will determine if there is enough evidence against Estes for the case to proceed to trial.

A publication ban prevents evidence presented during the bail hearing and reasons for judgment from being reported.

The weapon believed to be used during the offence was recovered by Nanaimo RCMP the following day across the highway from the crime scene.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes