Penticton came to a standstill on Monday as a 60-year-old Penticton man allegedly went on a shooting rampage, killing four people.
Police have remained tight-lipped over the killings, which are the deadliest in the city’s history and the sixth deadliest in modern B.C. history.
READ MORE: Four dead in Penticton shooting spree, one in custody
How it started
RCMP told reporters they received their first call at about 10:30 a.m. Monday morning that a man had been shot in a yard.
On a local Facebook group, Ashley Smethurst posted that “the man trimming the tree in my street got shot ….the gunman is still loose running around (and) more shots fired.”
Colton Lehmann was working nearby when he heard about four gun shots ring out in downtown #Penticton – police are on scene on Lakeview Street and an RCMP helicopter is circling the city. pic.twitter.com/b0ujinftPe
— Kristi Patton (@KristiPatton) April 15, 2019
As further calls came in, police cordoned off Eckhardt Avenue and Lakeshore Drive, as well as Main Street and Power Street.
Supt. Ted De Jager said four people were found dead in three locations within a five kilometre radius. Next of kin are still being notified and the names of the four victims will not be released “unless there is an investigative purpose, which right now there is not.”
Police did confirm that two men and two women were killed.
READ MORE: B.C.’s deadly past: Penticton shooting 6th worst massacre in province’s history
A motive?
Police have yet to release a motive although De Jager told media it was “a targeted event” and Mounties are still working to determine the why behind the attack.
Reports say the shootings stemmed from a neighbour dispute but De Jager did confirm that neither of the female victims were the alleged shooter’s ex-wife.
Police tape surrounds the scene where it is believed one man was shot in #penticton this morning. pic.twitter.com/jxIHcY0xDg
— Kristi Patton (@KristiPatton) April 15, 2019
The suspect
Witnesses say they saw the alleged shooter walking casually up the street, swinging his gun.
“I came outside to check and see what going on. I saw a guy walking up the street with a gun,” said a witness who did not wished to be named.
“I didn’t think much of it at first when I heard the sounds because there are a few other shops around here so I thought someone was hammering something, then I saw the guy with a gun.”
Where it stands
Police say a 68-year-old man, matching the description of the alleged shooter, walked up to the front desk of the Penticton RCMP detachment and turned himself in at 11:27 am. – just one hour after police were first called.
READ MORE: Penticton man charged with murder following shooting spree
A car, a black Volkswagen Jetta, believed to belong to him was seized in the RCMP parking lot.
De Jager said police would be recommending homicide-related charges, although the degree of murder or manslaughter would be determined as the investigation continues.
