Police have seized multiple firearms and executed search warrants as part of an investigation into a June 29 collision that left a man hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle.
Daajing Giids RCMP say the incident, first reported around 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, was initially believed to be a targeted, unprovoked assault involving a vehicle at a residence in the village.
The adult man struck by the vehicle was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries. At the time, RCMP said they believed there was no risk to the general public.
“Immediately after being made aware of the situation, members of the Daajing Giids RCMP detachment began canvassing witnesses and local surveillance for information on this incident,” Detachment Commander Sgt. Chris Manseau said in an update Monday.
Police say officers conducted extensive patrols, located the suspect vehicle and seized it for forensic analysis.
“Officers worked tirelessly obtaining statements and canvassing for information and were led to believe that this was an isolated and targeted incident,” Manseau said.
However, RCMP say the investigation took a new turn on July 2 when police received significant information contradicting initial witness statements.
Haida Gwaii News received a copy of a video, apparently filmed from inside the vehicle, showing two men in a verbal altercation that quickly escalated. The video was also circulated on social media for a short time.
“This previously withheld information, now brought to light, showed a violent altercation prior to the vehicle collision,” Manseau said.
Based on the new information, RCMP executed search warrants at multiple locations in Daajing Giids on July 2. Officers seized several high-powered firearms, handguns, ammunition and prohibited weapons.
A photo released by RCMP shows the seized weapons displayed on a table.
“This new information showed a vastly different perspective of the initial incident, intentionally withheld from the attending RCMP members,” Manseau said. “Although unverified and unactionable rumours have circulated for some time, these seizures stand to confirm the threat level we are encountering within the illicit drug trade locally.”
After the initial incident on June 29, the mayor of Daajing Giids posted on Facebook expressing concern about escalating violence in the community.
Haida Gwaii News reached out to Mayor Lisa Pineault for comment after RCMP released the new details about the weapons seizure.
“This incident is very concerning to me and my community. Although it appears to be targeted, the brazen altercation on a Sunday afternoon on Oceanview Drive could have easily included innocent bystanders,” Pineault said. “The release of this new information about weapons seized in the subsequent searches is a cause for further alarm and certainly amplifies my fear about the escalation of drug-related crime in Daajing Giids.”
Police say the investigation remains ongoing and the matter will be forwarded to BC Prosecution Service for review of potential charges. The names of any offenders have not been released as charges are still pending.
Anyone with information about the June 29 incident is asked to contact Daajing Giids RCMP at 250-559-4421 and reference file number 2025-420.
