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UPDATE: Nanaimo RCMP confirm targeted shooting in south Nanaimo leaves one man dead

Jan 13, 2018 | 12:17 PM

NANAIMO — RCMP confirmed one man is dead after a targeted shooting at a south Nanaimo townhouse complex. 

In a statement, Cst. Gary O’Brien said the body was found at roughly 10:50 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13 in the parking lot of the complex at the intersection of Wakesiah Ave. and Jingle Pot Rd. 

“The deceased is known to police and the shooting appears to be a targeted incident,” he said.

No arrests have been made.

At the scene, a tarp could be seen by witnesses covering what was believed to be the body. 

Two witnesses, who wished not to be named, told NanaimoNewsNOW they were cleaning an apartment near the scene, separated by a fence and small trees, when they heard a commotion.

When they ran over to the fence, one witness said they heard “pop, pop, pop, six to seven shots.” 

Both witnesses said they saw two cars, one black and one silver, leave the parking lot and take off in separate directions.

It’s the second incident in the townhouse complex.

On March 2, 2016, shots were fired into a vehicle parked on Wakesiah Ave., near a daycare in the same complex, which sparked a car chase down to Duncan where two were arrested.  No one was injured and two Lower Mainland men charged in connection with that shooting have yet to stand trial.

Meanwhile, a car fire was reported several blocks away near Manning and Elizabeth Streets, not far from Fairview Elementary. RCMP said they’re investigating the fire and said it’s possibly related to the shooting.

This is Nanaimo’s fourth confirmed homicide in the last 12 months. 

 

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Note to readers: This is an updated story. Adds statement and details from Nanaimo RCMP