The peace of a street off Old Petersen Road was shattered by tragedy Friday morning after RCMP officers dispatched to Gleneagle Drive arrived to the sound of shots being fired.
“This morning at approximately 8:53 hours, Campbell River members of the General Duty Detachment RCMP were dispatched to the 1800 block of Gleneagle Drive in Campbell River. The reason of the call was to check well being of a member of the public,” Cpl. Ron Shelrud of the Campbell River RCMP told the media just before noon Friday. “Upon arriving at the scene, shots were heard and the General Duty members established a containment of the area and called in our Emergency Response Team (ERT).”
Negotiators on the scene were speaking with the subject in the house, Cpl. Shelrud said.
“It’s the first time in our police history we’ve been at that house,” he said. “We’re not familiar with the individual.”
The individual in the house was “having some personal issues,” Cpl. Shelrud said.
The Emergency Response Team arrived after General Duty officers had the area contained for a couple of hours. People within the residential area were evacuated to the Community Centre, the ones that could be safely removed.
“Instruction has been given to people that cannot be safely removed from their homes to stay back in the back of their homes in a safe area,” Cpl Shelrud said.
Evacuees were taken to the Community Centre as per Campbell River’s Emergency Response Plan.
Later, police told CTV News that communication had been established with the person inside the home but that ended.
“We have confirmed that the occupant inside the residence did suffer a gun shot wound, self-inflicted, and is now deceased,” Const. Jackelyn Biller told CTV.
Besides General Duty offices and the Emergency Response Team, the Independent Investigations office personnel also attended the incident.
No information about the victim or any further details about the incident have been released.
