RCMP are investigating two separate overnight shootings in North Cowichan and Duncan that they believe were targeted incidents.
In a media release, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP say officers were first called to the 5800 block of Jaynes Road in North Cowichan around 4:45 a.m. on December 15th after reports of several shots fired.
Initial searches of the area did not immediately locate the source of the gunfire. Police later deployed the Investigation Support Team, Street Crimes Unit, and a police service dog to continue searching the area.
Evidence collected during the search indicated that a nearby residence had been shot at. No injuries were reported.
Two days later, on December 17th, police responded to another report of shots fired, this time around 2:45 a.m. in the 1000 block of Marchmont Road in Duncan.
Police located two vehicles that appeared to have been targeted.
RCMP say an older model Jeep Cherokee believed to be connected to that incident was later found fully engulfed in flames on Herd Road.
“While these incidents are concerning, investigators have reasons to believe this was not random, but rather targeted incidents,” said Corporal Alex Bérubé, spokesperson for the BC RCMP.
“Police are actively exploring every possible avenue to gather all the necessary evidence to locate and arrest the suspect or suspects.”
Bérubé added that public safety remains a priority, and investigators are working to prevent any further similar incidents.
Both investigations remain ongoing, and RCMP say no additional details are available at this time.
Anyone with information, including dashcam or surveillance footage from either area, is asked to contact the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at (250) 748-5522.
