By Dominic Abassi

Five guns seized after shots fired in Nanaimo’s south-end

Jan 4, 2017 | 2:34 PM

NANAIMO — A Nanaimo man is facing multiple charges after police say he fired several gunshots following a violent dispute in the south-end.

RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien says the “alarming” incident happened around 12 p.m. on Jan. 1 on Centre Street, beginning with an “altercation” between several men.

“One of the males involved in that altercation made some threats and he ran off to his home,” said O’Brien. “Next thing we know there was shots fired from that individual’s home. Fortunately, no one was hit by upwards of three rounds.”

O’Brien says after a lengthy search for the suspect, William Michael Vautour, 30, turned himself in to police on Jan. 2.

“We secured the home, we got a search warrant and went in and seized five weapons. There was three rifles, one shotgun, a pistol, along with numerous rounds of ammunition, several knives and bear spray.”

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The altercation on the street leading up to the shots being fired turned violent, according to O’Brien.

“Our officers often deal with violent incidents but they very seldom turn out with a firearm involved. So thank goodness we went into the house…and got at least five firearms off the streets,” said O’Brien.

He says Vautour is prohibited from possessing any weapons from a previous offence.

Vautour is charged with six offences and will be back in court Thursday.