'It was surreal': Victim’s mother arrested at scene of fatal shooting in Port Alberni
One man is dead after a gun was fired inside a home on 18th Avenue in Port Alberni, B.C., on Sunday evening.
Police are not releasing the names of those involved but CTV News has learned the victim is Jesse McPhee and the woman arrested at the scene is his mother, Samantha Dittmer.
"When RCMP members arrived they cleared the residence and found that one male had been shot and that there was another suspect inside the residence," said RCMP Cpl. Chris Manseau.
Neighbour Mike Barrowcliff heard the shot while he was sitting on his deck across the street.
"A girl came out of the house quite distraught and saying someone was going to die and needed an ambulance: ‘Could somebody help me please?’" Barrowcliff says.
He says the RCMP arrived on scene moments later with their weapons drawn.
"It was surreal,” Barrowcliff says. “You don't expect it to be on your street but 'surreal' is the best word I can use for it.”
Barrowcliff says police told neighbours to remain inside their homes while they dealt with the situation.
Another neighbour, Dylan Gauthier, says the home was the scene of frequent family disputes.
"Bickering next door is kind of common so I thought maybe there was just a dispute,” Gauthier says. “I didn't really think much of the guns being drawn other than maybe [for] their protection but the more that we heard of what was going on we realized it was a little more serious than that.”
Members of the BC SPCA arrived at the home Monday afternoon to remove two dogs from the rear of the property.
The RCMP say their investigation at the scene could take several days.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.