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BB gun fired in Fraser River fishery fracas injures one
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Paul J. Henderson
The Times
Monday, August 17, 2009
Simmering tension between some First Nations and sports fishers boiled over on the weekend as one male was hit with a shot from a BB gun and others were threatened with a knife, according to the RCMP.
The incident occurred early Sunday afternoon when two individuals were drift-netting in a First Nations fishery on the Fraser River near the Harrison River. Their net became entangled with the boat of a sports fisherman and while attempting to untangle the net, the males aboard the sports fishing boat fired a shot from a BB gun or air gun, according to Const. Lea-Anne Dunlop of the Upper Fraser Valley RCMP.
One male was struck with the projectile from the gun and received a laceration to his face. "Thankfully the injuries were minor in nature," Dunlop said in a press release. Another boat then came in to assist in untangling the net at which point a knife was produced and pointed towards the second boat in what was described as "an intimidating manner."
The net was eventually untangled and the boat continued down the river. Extensive patrols were made for the boat and the boat's owners at Island 22 and other area launches.
"It is likely that particular boat did leave the river in the Chilliwack area," Dunlop said. "We did extensive patrols down there but that's not to say it wasn't in and out of that area [Island 22]." The river was also patrolled by the Upper Fraser Valley RCMP First Nations policing section with the new RCMP jet boat, but nothing turned up.
The suspect boat is described as a 19-foot, cream-coloured fiberglass boat with an outboard motor. The two male occupants were described as Caucasian, one in his 60s with grey hair and a moustache; the other between 35 and 45 years of age with scruffy brown hair and facial hair. Both males had heavy accents, possibly English or Scottish.
Police are looking for assistance from the public to help further their investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who has any information at all, is asked to call Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. The other parties involved that have not yet been identified are encourage to contact police directly to discuss this incident.
phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com
Â
Paul J. Henderson
The Times
Monday, August 17, 2009
Simmering tension between some First Nations and sports fishers boiled over on the weekend as one male was hit with a shot from a BB gun and others were threatened with a knife, according to the RCMP.
The incident occurred early Sunday afternoon when two individuals were drift-netting in a First Nations fishery on the Fraser River near the Harrison River. Their net became entangled with the boat of a sports fisherman and while attempting to untangle the net, the males aboard the sports fishing boat fired a shot from a BB gun or air gun, according to Const. Lea-Anne Dunlop of the Upper Fraser Valley RCMP.
One male was struck with the projectile from the gun and received a laceration to his face. "Thankfully the injuries were minor in nature," Dunlop said in a press release. Another boat then came in to assist in untangling the net at which point a knife was produced and pointed towards the second boat in what was described as "an intimidating manner."
The net was eventually untangled and the boat continued down the river. Extensive patrols were made for the boat and the boat's owners at Island 22 and other area launches.
"It is likely that particular boat did leave the river in the Chilliwack area," Dunlop said. "We did extensive patrols down there but that's not to say it wasn't in and out of that area [Island 22]." The river was also patrolled by the Upper Fraser Valley RCMP First Nations policing section with the new RCMP jet boat, but nothing turned up.
The suspect boat is described as a 19-foot, cream-coloured fiberglass boat with an outboard motor. The two male occupants were described as Caucasian, one in his 60s with grey hair and a moustache; the other between 35 and 45 years of age with scruffy brown hair and facial hair. Both males had heavy accents, possibly English or Scottish.
Police are looking for assistance from the public to help further their investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who has any information at all, is asked to call Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. The other parties involved that have not yet been identified are encourage to contact police directly to discuss this incident.
phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com
