1850 KLO Rd UPDATE: 2:20 p.m The victim in Tuesday night’s shooting is “connected to criminal organizations,” according to Kelowna’s top cop. During a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Supt. Cara Triance reiterated that the shooting victim is not expected to survive the shooting after he was shot outside the Shell gas station near the corner of KLO and Benvoulin streets around 10 p.m. Police were alerted to the shooting by staff at Kelowna General Hospital when the victim was dropped off by someone in a vehicle. Supt. Triance said they have not yet identified the person who left the victim and a suspect in the shooting has not yet been identified. Supt. Triance said she could not say the shooting is connected to the ongoing gang conflict in the Lower Mainland at this time, but said the victim is connected to criminal organizations “This person is known to the police and is associated with criminal organizations,” he said. “So there will be a substantial investigation that will continue and updates will continue as we move forward with this investigation.” The Kelowna RCMP is “working very closely” with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – BC’s anti-gang police service. “It is always concerning to me when we have violence in public places and activities related to organized crime in our community. that to me is deeply troubling,” he said. Triance said. “However we believe this was a targeted incident [involving] highly concentrated individuals who were well known to each other’. He noted that investigators do not believe the shooting had anything to do with last Friday’s murder. UPDATE: noon Kelowna RCMP have confirmed a Lower Mainland man is in Kelowna General Hospital suffering from a gunshot wound late Tuesday night. In a news release, police say an “unknown associate” took the man to KGH around 10 p.m. The hospital was placed on lockdown as a result. St. Mike Della-Paolera says the shooting victim is not expected to survive his injuries. Police confirmed the shooting took place outside the Shell gas station at the corner of KLO and Benvoulin. Indications are that the shooting is linked to people well known to the police. “Incidents of this nature are alarming to say the least, we believe this was a targeted incident. Police would like to reassure the public that there is a team of dedicated resources dedicated to this investigation and want to assure the public that the safety of the citizens of Kelowna remains our primary focus,” said Inspector Beth McAndie. Kelowna RCMP are asking if anyone has dash cam footage or witnessed this incident to contact the RCMP at (250) 762-3300. Or leave an anonymous tip at The Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.net Photo: Madison Erhardt ORIGINAL 10:15 AM Police responded to a shooting Tuesday night at the Shell gas station at Benvoulin and KLO streets. Details are scarce at this point, but a Kelowna RCMP spokesperson says the shooting happened at about 9:30 p.m. Police were notified of the shooting when a person with a gunshot wound arrived at Kelowna General Hospital. Internal Health confirmed Kelowna General Hospital’s emergency department was placed on restricted access last night as a precaution at the request of the RCMP. “It reopened when we received a full briefing from the police,” IH said in a statement. The victim’s condition is currently unknown. The full news release is expected later today. The gas station has since reopened for business, but orange chalk marks remain at the scene of the shooting.
