Numerous Nanaimo RCMP officers rushed to a busy gas station after a report was made from a woman who believed a gunshot was fired into her passenger side window (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

bizarre incident

Gunfire ruled out following Nanaimo gas station dispute

Nov 4, 2025 | 10:12 AM

NANAIMO — Police swarmed a busy Nanaimo service station Monday afternoon after a woman heard a bang and discovered her passenger side window was shattered.

The 12:15 p.m. incident resulted in several Nanaimo RCMP officers converging at the Chevron gas station on the Island Hwy. at Norwell Dr., after the woman whose car was damaged called 911.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Sherri Wade confirms there had been an argument between two people while filling up their vehicles.

“She was concerned that maybe this had been retaliation, so many, many members attended because it was the allegation of a gun,” Wade told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Police tape surrounds a shattered passenger window of a car at the Chevron service station on the Island Hwy. at Norwell Dr. on Monday, Nov. 3 (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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However, Wade said service station surveillance video footage and accounts from multiple on-scene witnesses confirmed a gun was not used.

She said evidence suggests the man arguing with the impacted woman inadvertently caused the damage while rushing away from the gas station.

“It looks like that when the second motorist sped out, his car spit out some rocks (from his tires) and that’s what damaged the window.”

Cst. Wade said police tracked down the vehicle that sped away and talked to the driver, confirming he did not have any weapons in his possession.

“He was cooperative, he did not know what had happened, he did say there was an exchange of words, but he had no idea how the window got damaged.”

Wade said the investigation is closed, and no arrests will be made nor will any charges be pursued.

Passing motorists slowed down to view what appeared to be a serious crime scene, while several people posted on social media wondering what had occurred.

Evidence markers were temporarily placed at the scene during the preliminary stages of the investigation. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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