Two people were injured and a third is in custody after what RCMP described as a “public shooting” at a rodeo in British Columbia on Sunday.
Police say they were called to the Williams Lake Stampede grounds around 3:30 p.m
“Two people with unspecified injuries were taken to a local hospital and one suspect was taken into custody. “Preliminary information suggests that this incident was targeted and there remains no further risk to the public,” Mounties said in a statement.
“The investigation is in its early stages and no additional information is available at this time.”
According to a Facebook update from stampede president Cort Smith, thousands of attendees were told to evacuate via loudspeaker during the bull riding event.
“There were no other injuries. Our spokesperson did a fantastic job getting people out of the facility,” he said in a Facebook video, noting the investigation is ongoing and thanking the RCMP for their quick response.
This photo submitted by Kevin Lee shows RCMP on the scene after a shooting at the Williams Lake Stampede on July 3, 2022.
This weekend marked the return of the event after two years of cancellations related to COVID-19.
Loreen Carruthers was there at the time, enjoying the end of what she described as a “perfect rodeo weekend” when the shooting happened. At the time, she was in the ring taking pictures for the association.
“There was just a commotion all of a sudden. We didn’t really understand anything that was going on. I saw the clown jump over the fence and up into the stands,” she tells CTV News.
“At that point I thought it was part of the clown show.
This photo by Laureen Carruthers shows rodeo clown Jason Charters of Merritt performing at the 2022 Williams Lake Stampede.
When she heard instructions to evacuate, she realized that wasn’t happening at all. But she said the scene was not chaotic, crediting the speaker with setting the tone by speaking calmly and providing clear instructions.
“There were people helping, people in wheelchairs being carried down the stairs and through the actual rodeo arena and through the gates where the competitors are,” she recalled.
“Everyone was really trying to help the people around them. There was no panic. I did incredibly well.”
Although she was initially worried about her mother and son, who were in the stands, she has since learned that they both got out safely.
She says the mood over the weekend was jubilant, with sell-out crowds enjoying the return of a beloved annual tradition.
“It was just one of the best rodeos I’ve ever been to,” she said, adding that she’s lived in Williams Lake for 53 years and always looks forward to the way the town comes alive during the weekend of the event.
“It’s just a terribly, terribly sad end to an absolutely perfect weekend.”
RCMP are asking anyone with footage or information to contact investigators by calling 250-392-6211.
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