Shots were fired outside a Langford store, two vehicles that appeared to be involved raced away, and one of them crashed on Tuesday. Two nearby schools responded by invoking security measures.
West Shore RCMP were called to a report of a shooting about 11 a.m. just outside the Happy Valley Market. Police believe people in two vehicles were involved. Both vehicles fled southbound on Happy Valley Road.
One of the suspect vehicles, a Kia SUV, made it as far as Kelly Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway before smashing into the scene of a collision already being investigated by police. Officers were able to quickly arrest a suspect and seize a firearm, said West Shore RCMP Const. Nancy Saggar.
The second suspect vehicle, a Cadillac sedan, was later recovered on Leila Place in Colwood. Officers are still trying to figure out its involvement in the sequence of events and to identify whomever was inside.
“We are asking the occupant(s) of the brown Cadillac sedan to come forward and speak to us,” Saggar said. “We need to know that you’re OK.”
On police advice, the Sooke school district put David Cameron and Savory elementary schools in “hold-and-secure” mode, meaning the exterior doors were locked while activities inside carried on as normal.
David Cameron is just off Veterans Memorial Parkway, near one end of Royal Colwood Golf Course, while Savory is on Grainger Road not far from RCMP headquarters.
Happy Valley Market was cordoned off through the early afternoon and a police dog was brought in to search.
Tara Koshman, who runs Petals N Buds Metchosin Florist next to the market, went to her shop as soon as she heard the news. “I heard about it right away and I went down,” she said. “No one was hurt.”
It was a strange occurrence for the area, Koshman said. “It’s terribly bizarre, really. It’s a lovely neighbourhood. It’s a nice group of people.”
Saggar said investigators believe the shooting was targeted and isolated. At this point, there is nothing to connect it to another Langford shooting on April 5, she said. That shooting — also described as targeted — saw police alerted by a 911 call about 12:30 a.m.
In that case, a man in his 30s was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries when he was shot in a four-unit home near the corner of Jacklin Road and Dunford Avenue.
A 22-year-old man was arrested a few hours later and was eventually released on a promise to appear in court for breach of probation. Police are still looking into his possible connection with the shooting.
Anyone with information about Tuesday’s incident is asked to call 911, or to report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
