Kelowna RCMP say shooting victim 'threat' to community; explosive device found at crime scene | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kelowna RCMP say shooting victim 'threat' to community; explosive device found at crime scene

Iron Athletics Inc. owner Kyle Gianis.
Image Credit: Instagram/ironathletics_official

Mounties have identified one of Saturday night's shooting victims as a West Kelowna man with known criminal ties.  

RCMP said in a press release that West Kelowna resident Kyle Gianis, 37, and an unnamed 25-year-old Surrey man were the victims of the shooting. Gianis, who has survived several public attempts on his life, has been released from the hospital and the Surrey man remains in medical care with what are believed to be life-threatening injuries.

“We have reason to believe this was a targeted attack on these two men,”  Insp. Beth McAndie of the Kelowna RCMP said in a press release. “Because of his criminal activities and associates, Mr. Gianis poses a threat to our community and the public in general, and we are putting all our resources into investigating this newest incident.”

It's the second time this year Gianis was the target of a shooting. In March he was shot outside a Kelowna gym. He was also the unharmed target of two other gangland shootings according to the Vancouver Sun, one in 2017 and another in 2018.

The latest attempt on his life was July 31 just before 7 p.m.,  at Pandosy Street and KLO Road. He and the Surrey man were transported by BC Emergency Health Services to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. Witnesses reported a man fleeing the scene in a silver SUV. No arrests have been made at this time.

In the meantime, Mounties still have the area blocked off.

“While investigating the scene of the shooting, frontline officers located what is believed to be an undetonated improvised explosive device,”  Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy, Media Relations Officer for the Kelowna RCMP said.

“Police immediately cordoned off the area. It will remain closed until officers with the RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit have safely dealt with the device.”

No further information is being released at this time, but Kelowna RCMP is urging anyone who witnessed or has knowledge of this crime to come forward to speak with police immediately.

Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. Or remain completely anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net

 


To contact a reporter for this story, email Kathy Michaels or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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