QUESNEL

Friday, September 8, 2023

The Quesnel RCMP responded to four separate reports of gun shots being fired around the long weekend.

On August 31, 2023 at approximately 9:27 PM, the Quesnel RCMP received a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 8000 block of Nazko Road. While responding to the report, police received another call from BC Ambulance Service of a man with a gun shot graze wound to the head.

A 44-year-old man was taken to the hospital with a minor grazing wound to his head. Police investigation determined that the gun shot wound was caused by a stray bullet that struck the man when they were shooting at varmints on his property in the dark. The police investigation is still ongoing regarding the unsafe use of the firearms.

On September 2 at approximately 1:47 PM, the Quesnel RCMP received another report of a shot being fired in the 3000 block of Bulova Road. Police determined that the shot was in relation to someone shooting varmints on their property. It was determined that the person involved was doing so in a safe manner and there is no ongoing investigation.

At approximately 6:27 PM, on the same day, the Quesnel RCMP responded to a report of a drive by shooting in the 100 block of Malcolm Drive. Witnesses reported a vehicle drove past the location and fire several shots into the building. Harley Gardiner, a 34-year-old Quesnel man, has been arrested and charged with several firearms related offences. He was remanded in custody pending a further court appearance. Luckily no one was hurt during this incident.

On Sunday September 3, 2023 at approximately 8:54 PM, the Quesnel RCMP received a report of multiple shots being fired in the area of Bartels Road and Quesnel Hixon Road. Police attended and located a vehicle believed to be associated to the shots fired report. The vehicle fled from police almost striking a police officer in the process. The vehicle was located unoccupied at a residence known to police and two handguns were seized. The investigation into the matter is ongoing.