By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
The suspect in the shooting of a 22-year-old from Maple Ridge on Canada Day is still at large and considered “armed and dangerous,” according to Sgt. Jason Bayda, commander of the Osoyoos RCMP.
The Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen (PSOS) RCMP are seeking assistance in locating the suspect who has been identified as 29 year-old Steven Marlo Gallagher from Oliver.
The PSOS RCMP says it is reviewing all evidence to determine whether there is also a link to two shootings in Penticton on June 26, 2022 and June 28, 2022.
The July 1 shooting at White Sands beach on OIB land on the eastern shore of Osoyoos Lake left the victim with gun shot wounds to his hip.
Steven Marlo Gallagher
According to Bayda the victim was with friends getting ready to watch the Canada Day fireworks when a male from another group started an altercation before pulling out a gun, firing multiple rounds and shooting the victim before fleeing the area.
Bayda said the detachment received a single call at 6:52 p.m. reporting the shooting.
“If Steven sees or hears this, we ask him to contact the police immediately,” said Bayda.
“Should you encounter Gallagher, or have information regarding his whereabouts, do not approach him and immediately call 9-1-1.”
Gallagher is known to police and was charged with breaking into Remedy’s RX pharmacy in Oliver and starting a fire on May 15, 2021. On the same day, someone fired shots at a police vehicle while it was parked at the RCMP detachment. A truck was also set on fire next to the Subway eatery in downtown Oliver.
Both the victim and the suspect arrived at the beach overland which requires entering the private property of the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB). Most users of the beach arrive by boat.
The stunning beach is popular with boaters as there is no direct land access other than from within the OIB reserve. The beach has been a long-running source of frustration with non-Indigenous boaters using the beach and frequently leaving behind a mess of garbage on what is private OIB property.
“It’s our understanding that there was a large amount of people in the area, however, we only received one call on this. Speaking to people on the beach there is an indication that the beach was crowded when it happened and most people immediately departed after the shooting,” he said.
“Again we received only one call and this is really shocking,” Bayda reiterated. He was at a loss for an explanation as to why only one single 911 call was made when typically multiple calls are placed for events of lesser magnitude.
That singular 9-1-1 call was made by a companion of the victim, he noted.
