A 23-year-old man suspected of wounding a doorman in a drive-by shooting outside a downtown nightclub and firing at police during a car chase was arrested without incident outside a Victoria motel on Thursday.
Victoria police arrested Dennis Grant Fletcher on a warrant for attempted murder and various firearms offences after shots were fired at bouncers outside Club 9one9 in Victoria on Monday. Doorman Michael Mizerski, 25, was shot in the leg.
Fletcher was remanded in custody and will appear in provincial court by video on March 11.
“That will give us time to get the materials from the Crown and consider our options,” said defence lawyer Dale Marshall.
Fletcher was arrested outside the Vacation Inn motel at 3020 Douglas St. as he got into a taxi with an unidentified woman just after 2 a.m.
Police had been searching three days for Fletcher.
Hotel manager Bob Lynn said an employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, phoned police about 1 a.m. after noticing a young man with a woman who had just registered. The man was avoiding eye contact and pulling his hooded sweatshirt tight around his head, Lynn said.
“We were very happy to be able to help out,” he said, calling the security employee “a really good, observant guy.”
Victoria police Deputy Chief Del Manak applauded all those who helped authorities gather evidence and make an arrest.
“To everyone who helped us, I just want to say thank you,” Manak said Tuesday at a press conference.
“Mr. Fletcher faces numerous charges including attempted murder and various firearms infractions. Having said that, the investigation is far from over, and Victoria police could be recommending additional charges.”
Police said those who helped Fletcher hide are being investigated and could also face charges.
On Monday, a man and woman were escorted out of a show by U.S. East Coast rap duo Heavy Metal Kings at Club 9one9, located inside the Strathcona Hotel on Douglas Street.
According to police, the driver of a black compact car stopped in front of the club and fired several bullets at the doormen.
Police arrived on the scene and chased a car matching the description of the shooter’s vehicle.
Police followed the car along Hillside Avenue from Quadra Street to Shelbourne Street, where the car turned south and was abandoned at Ryan Street in Saanich.
Police said Tuesday they believe they were shot at because the back window of the suspect’s vehicle was riddled with bullets.
Police asked for the public’s help Tuesday in locating any stray bullets and casings.
Investigators recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the shooting and arrested a female suspect in the area.
Whitney Rae Furber remains in custody, charged with attempted murder, uttering threats, and firearms and careless-driving offences.
— With a file from Louise Dickson
Victoria police are asking for public help in finding bullets that may have been fired during a chase along Hillside Avenue and Shelbourne Street.
