Pubdate: Fri, 04 Mar 2016
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Author: Tim Petruk

CITY ON VERGE OF BLOODY GANG WAR?

A justice official speaking to KTW on the condition of anonymity says 
Kamloops is on the verge of a potentially bloody gang war.

The source said the Red Scorpions gang, which is presently 
controlling drug sales in the Tournament Capital, is being pressured 
by an unnamed gang from the Lower Mainland looking to take over.

Two shootings in recent weeks - one at the Kamloops Travel Centre at 
Highway 1 and Copperhead Drive on Feb. 18, the other at a McGill Road 
residence the following week - are connected to the turf war, the 
source said, noting the unnamed Lower Mainland gang was sending 
"reinforcements" to Kamloops late this week.

The unnamed justice official said the fight between the two gangs is 
expected to be bloody and could involve more shootings.

RCMP Cpl. Cheryl Bush confirmed police have connected recent 
incidents to organized crime, but she would not elaborate.

"Some recent investigations have determined that there is an element 
of organized crime connected to them," she said.

"These are ongoing investigations. Our efforts are always geared 
toward disrupting organized crime and we are always gathering intelligence."

On Feb. 18, emergency crews were called to the Dufferin Petro-Canada 
after a man was shot in the leg.

The suspect fled the scene before police arrived and investigators 
said the victim, who has since been released from hospital, is not 
being co-operative.

Details of the McGill Road shooting, which took place on Feb. 25, are 
protected by a court-ordered publication ban. Police did not issue a 
statement regarding the shooting.

The suspected shooter, Jordan Kaplan, was granted bail on Monday. Due 
back in court on March 10, he is charged with discharging a firearm, 
possessing a prohibited or restricted firearm and unauthorized 
possession of a firearm.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom