Gunshot injury at Nanaimo, B.C., encampment ‘may have been self-inflicted’: RCMP

An RCMP patch is seen on the shoulder of an assistant commissioner in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, April 28, 2023. An Alberta man is facing charges after he allegedly broke into a firehall and went on a joy ride with one of its trucks. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say their investigation into a shooting that sent one man to hospital with a gunshot wound indicates his injury may have been self-inflicted.

Investigators conducted a search of the homeless encampment in Bowen Park after the shooting was reported at around 6 a.m. Friday, the Nanaimo RCMP said in a statement.

Police say officers seized several guns from the encampment, along with “prohibited items” and suspected stolen property.

One person was taken into custody at the encampment, which is located near the intersection of Bowen Road and Wakesiah Avenue, but the person was later released without any charges pending, the statement said.

“While it is early in the investigation, it appears the injury may have been self-inflicted,” Const. Gary O’Brien said in the statement. “Police were unable to find any other victims and no suspects have been identified.”

Anyone with information related to the shooting is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.