A man was taken to hospital after what Nanaimo RCMP believe was a targeted shooting Saturday evening.
Police found the injured man after they responded to reports of shots fired around 9:45 p.m. on Dec. 11 near View Street in south Nanaimo. He was taken to hospital by paramedics and treated for serious, but non-life threatening gunshot wounds, according to an RCMP media release.
RCMP were told a vehicle was seen leaving the scene at a high rate of speed moments after the shots were fired.
A short time later, police received a report of a vehicle on fire in the 700 block of Nicol Street. Fire crews extinguished the blaze, but the vehicle was destroyed, according to the release.
“Investigators believe the vehicle fire is associated to the incident and that this was a targeted shooting. Given the evidence gathered to date, police do not believe there is any further risk to the public,” said Const. Gary O’Brien.
Searches for the suspect involving police dog services, emergency response team members and forensics were unsuccessful. Police said the victim remains in hospital.
Police are asking anyone who has information on this incident, including dash cam video, to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file #2021-45780.
