The alleged young offender faces a number of charges, including discharging a firearm, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and two firearm possession charges.
An initial court appearance by the unidentified male transpired on Friday, Feb. 13.
“This was a significant and concerning incident involving youth violence in our community,” Insp. Donovan Tait, operations officer of the Nanaimo RCMP, said in a statement. “The quick response by our officers and with collaboration by VicPD and GVERT, played a crucial role in safely taking the alleged suspect into custody.”
Police said at the time of the incident a confrontation broke out among a group of youth at the mall.
“Bear spray was produced, and in turn, another individual produced a firearm. One [youth] was shot. That person was taken to hospital on their own accord, treated for a non-life-threatening injury and later released.”
While the incident occurred Wednesday, it wasn’t until Thursday morning when the full scope of the shooting unfolded and Mounties found a shell casing.
Several employees of businesses inside the mall were also interviewed by police on Thursday, while the mall’s number three entrance was temporarily closed.
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