229720
228935
West Kelowna  

Highway 97 was closed all Sunday morning after a fatal shooting

Highway opens after killing

UPDATE: 1:05 p.m.

After seven hours of closure due to a fatal shooting, Highway 97 in West Kelowna has been reopened.

Police cleared their investigation at the highway and Elk Road at 1 p.m., allowing for traffic once again to pass in both directions.

The fatal shooting occurred sometime around 4 a.m. Police said the killing appeared targeted, but they have not yet said if any arrests have been made.


UPDATE: 12:35 p.m.

A person was killed in a shooting near Highway 97 and Elk Road early Sunday morning.

The highway is completely closed between Butt and Grizzly roads Sunday, as many police are on scene investigating.

In a statement, police say the killing, which occurred sometime between 3:30 and 4:30 a.m., has “the characteristics of a targeted shooting.” The RCMP has not said if they have arrested any suspects.

Dozens of evidence markers are on the north side of Highway 97 at Elk Road, and a bicycle with a trailer is lying on the south side of the highway. Police have taped off large sections of the area as they investigate.

A Castanet reader said they heard multiple gunshots in the area sometime around 4 a.m.

Police have asked anyone who was in the area between 3:30 and 4:30 a.m. to reach out to the RCMP Southeast District Major Crime Unit at 1-877-987-8477.

The highway closure has caused serious traffic congestion around the area. Police have asked motorists to avoid the area, but it's unclear how long the closure is expected to last.

The killing comes after a separate shooting in Rutland Sunday morning.


UPDATE: 10:40 a.m.

Highway 97 is still completely closed in West Kelowna Sunday, and police have yet to provide any details about what has led to the closure.

In a short statement, Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy said she can't say when the highway will reopen, but she's asked the public to avoid the area. Police tape surrounds several businesses in the strip mall west of the highway and many officers are on scene.

Cpl. Noseworthy says details about the investigation will be released "at a later time."


UPDATE: 8:40 a.m.

Highway 97 remains completely closed in West Kelowna Sunday morning, as a number of RCMP members are in the area investigating.

Police tape surrounds the strip mall on the west side of Highway 97 near Elk Road, and police officers are "all over the place," according to Castanet's Wayne Moore.

The highway has been completely closed since 6 a.m. as police investigate. It still remains unclear what has caused the large police presence.

On the other side of Okanagan Lake, police are investigating a shooting in Rutland Sunday morning, but it's unknown if this is connected in any way to the West Kelowna incident.

Castanet will have more information as it becomes available.


ORIGINAL: 7 a.m.

A police incident has closed Highway 97 in West Kelowna Sunday morning.

The incident at Elk Road was first reported by DriveBC at 6 a.m., and the highway remains closed in both directions between Grizzly Road and Butt Road.

It's unclear what has caused the road closure.

Castanet will have more information as it becomes available.



More West Kelowna News

229439