Man charged after shooting at Vancouver convenience store

Vancouver police were in Mount Pleasant on Sept. 6, responding to what they described as a "weapons call." A witness later confirmed to CTV News that an employee of the Hasty Market was shot early that morning.

Charges have been laid against a man after a shooting at a convenience store in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood last week, police announced on Monday.

Officers were initially called to H&Z Market near Main Street and 16^th Avenue just after 7 a.m. on Sept. 6.

The victim—a store employee, according to a witness—was shot in the leg and hospitalized with serious, but not life-threatening injuries, police said.

The Vancouver Police Department says a suspect was arrested by RCMP in Kamloops the same day on an “unrelated matter.”

“Any act of gun violence in a busy neighbourhood like Mount Pleasant is deeply concerning,” said Const. Darren Wong, in a news release. “While this incident was disturbing for local residents and business owners, we want to reassure our community that a suspect was quickly identified and remains in custody. We do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the community.”

Victor Sorensen-Avila, 32, now faces charges of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon. He remains in custody in Kamloops.