IN the wake of the recent series of violent incidents and homicides in Kamloops, the RCMP are providing an update on the numerous cases that have been cited in the media and to speak to the trend and its impact on public safety.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED RECENTLY?

On October 3, 2018, the RCMP entered into a high risk missing person investigation. It was later determined that the missing person, Troy Gold, had in fact been murdered. This is an open investigation and clearly part of the local Kamloops drug scene. The victim was a participant in the local Kamloops drug trade, as are all of the suspects.

• This investigation is progressing.
• Suspects are identified.
• Serious Crime Unit (SCU) investigators are optimistic with its progress and continue to treat it as an open and active investigation.

On December 6, 2018, the RCMP with assistance from the Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at a local business. This was the conclusion of an investigation into a home invasion that was initially reported in January of 2018. The home invasion occurred at a rental home that was being used as a stash house by participants in the Kamloops drug trade.

• Cameron Cole was arrested and charged with numerous firearms and explosive offences.
• Charles Patrick was arrested and charged with firearm, weapon and property offences.

On January 23, 2019, the RCMP entered into two related murder investigations. Both occurred at Kamloops hotels. One victim was a participant in the local Kamloops drug trade, as are the suspects.

• Both Rex Edward Gill and Cody March Mathieu were killed in separate shooting events.
• Rex Gill has no known connection to the Kamloops drug trade. The RCMP are exploring the possibility that this might have been a case of mistaken identity.
• Suspects are identified.
• SCU investigators continue to treat it as a priority and its an open and active investigation.

On February 14, 2019, the RCMP entered into a robbery, forcible confinement and kidnapping case. The victims are participants in the local Kamloops drug trade, as are the suspects.

•  This was a very fluid and dynamic investigation that led to several dynamic and tactical operations around the community which concluded with a tactical operation in Kelowna.
• Justin William Daniels was arrested in Kelowna and has been charged with armed robbery using a firearm and forcible confinement.

• Police continue to work on identifying and arresting the additional suspects.
• On February 15, 2019, the RCMP responded to a shooting at a north shore residence. This is now a murder investigation. Both victims are participants in the local Kamloops drug trade.
• Jason Glover died from his injuries.
• The second victim, and the victim’s condition will not be subject of further comment.
• The RCMP are working many leads and this investigation is still in it’s very early stages.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

•  The RCMP say we are in the middle of an opioid crisis which is largely caused and fuelled by organized crime.
• Police have seen a trend in Kamloops of high levels of violence occurring with the local participants of our drug community.
• Many of these crimes are being committed by people against their own local allegiances. Not all violence is one group against another.
• Police say it is not safe to be a drug trafficker in Kamloops right now. The group who is supplying your drugs today may be the same ones who will kill you tomorrow. If you know who is doing the violence, it’s time to contact the police.
• Police say they continue to target those who pose the greatest risk and commit acts of violence in the community. Crimes like this will attract police to your drug organization.
• Reducing organized crime is a top priority for Kamloops Detachment as it is for the Province of BC as a whole and policing partners across Canada.
• Police routinely issue news releases requesting the public’s assistance in helping us solve crime because we know that there are people in the community who know who is responsible for those crimes. Police need those individuals to come forward and help them target the small group of individuals who are responsible for the majority of our crimes.

WHAT RCMP SAY THEY ARE DOING ABOUT IT?

•  We are aggressively working on these investigations. The best solution is to get those committing this violence in jail. Our officers are working hard to identify and strategically target and investigate individuals with ties to the ongoing gang conflict.
• We are relying on our partners to support the sudden demand on our resources.
• Our Southeast District Command is fully engaged and re-deploying resources to us as required.
• We are working in close partnerships with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC). They assist us with manpower and specialized resources including the Uniform Gang Enforcement Team who is back in our community right now.

We recognize that recent acts of violence are concerning for the residents in our community and the Kamloops RCMP is committed to identifying those responsible. While we cannot say there is no risk to the general public, we can say that each of the incidents appear to be targeted.

For those involved in these shootings or people who know them – we ask that you think about the safety of your family, friends and the general public. The manner that you have chosen to resolve this dispute is careless and unacceptable.