Gang Shooting in Kelowna
The brazen Kelowna shooting demonstrates that gang violence can erupt anytime, putting the public’s safety at risk. This is unacceptable to the police. Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia is currently working with the Kelowna detachment in support of their investigation and we will continue to provide resources as long as they require our assistance.
While this is an alarming incident, many of these confrontations never make it onto the front pages because they don’t have a chance to occur in the first place. “What the public doesn’t see is that we are able to minimize much of the violence by conducting duty to warns, and getting in front of these incidents. But we don’t live in a perfect world,” said Supt. Pat Fogarty who heads CFSEU’s organized crime branch. “We can’t follow everybody all of the time.”
What we’ve also seen with this shooting is that no one, including high profile groups like the Hells Angels or their girlfriends and associates, are exempt. It clearly demonstrates that gang members and their friends are vulnerable too.
“No one, deserves to die in a hail of gunfire. But we all make choices. And there are consequences to those choices. Unfortunately they can be extreme and they were in this instance,” said Supt Doug Kiloh, officer-in-charge of CFSEU – BC.
CFSEU continues to work hard to safeguard public safety. “Our integrated model has enabled us to improve intelligence sharing and coordination among our law enforcement partners. That work has mitigated much of the violence we’ve seen in the past. Unfortunately, it flares up and we can’t always predict when that will happen,” Kiloh said.
As a civil society, we have to work together to stop the violence. “By turning a blind eye to criminal behaviour, we all become vulnerable to the violence,” Kiloh said.
CFSEU encourages anyone who may have information to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or the Kelowna RCMP at (250) 762-3300.
Media Spokesperson:
Sgt Shinder Kirk
604-507-2054
604-307-0857
Media liaison:
Maureen Gulyas
604-777-7971
604-616-7797
