Police have arrested a 21-year-old man in relation to a series of random pellet gun attacks that occurred in Abbotsford over a nine-day period last month.
Const. Ian MacDonald said charges being considered against the man include mischief and assault with a weapon. He cannot be named until charges are formally laid.
MacDonald said investigators are working to identify and locate at least one other person involved in the assaults.
He said the arrest came as a result of “extensive media and social media coverage” and witness reports, including video footage that an individual took in central Abbotsford during one of the incidents in which no one was injured.
Photos taken from the video show a man in the back seat of a 2006 Chrysler Sebring holding a gun and pointing it out an open window.
MacDonald said the pictures clearly indicate that someone else would have been driving the vehicle at the time.
He said the video was among the best pieces of evidence investigators reviewed in the case and in being able to make an arrest.
“Certainly, this was some of the clearest images we came across, and ended up being excellent evidence and information for us … It really tied things together,” MacDonald said.
He said the man arrested has had “quite extensive dealings with (police) in the past,” although he could not elaborate.
Police are continuing to investigate a total of 23 pellet gun attacks that occurred between July 18 and 27 throughout Abbotsford, with a cluster of assaults in the Clearbrook area.
Some were reported as far east as Sumas Mountain and as far west as Mt. Lehman Roaqd.
A total of nine pedestrians were struck and injured by the pellets, and witnesses reported that the shooter was in a dark-coloured vehicle.
Vehicles and homes were also struck.
Police are continuing to ask that anyone with information call the Abbosford Police Department at 604-859-5225, text abbypd (222973) or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
