Shot Fired at Downtown Vernon Park
- 12 hours ago
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Update: Vernon RCMP identify shooting at Civic Memorial Park as targeted altercation; suspect in custody
March 23 2026 VERNON, B.C. - Police have now confirmed that a heavy Emergency Response Team (ERT) operation in a Vernon neighbourhood on Friday evening stemmed from a reported shooting in a public park earlier that day.
The incident began around 5:45 p.m. on March 20, 2026, at Civic Memorial Park in Vernon. A man approached an officer and reported he had just been shot at by another man. The suspect fled into a nearby residence in the 4000 block of 31st Street.
Frontline officers quickly contained the house, and members of the RCMP’s Southeast District Emergency Response Team were called in to assist.
Heavily armed ERT members, along with an armoured vehicle, converged on the residence around 8 p.m., with emergency lights visible and traffic diverted. Occupants were convinced to leave the home, and the situation ended peacefully when the suspect surrendered without incident. The operation wound down around 9 p.m. (exnews.net)
According to a news release issued Monday by the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, the two men, who knew each other, had met at the park and became involved in an altercation that escalated when one allegedly drew a firearm and shot at the other.
The victim was uninjured. “Even though this appears to be targeted, it’s completely and totally unacceptable,” said Constable Chris Terleski, Media Relations Officer for the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP. “A brazen act in a public place puts innocent people at serious risk and we’re incredibly thankful no one was injured.” The suspect, a 31-year-old Vernon resident, remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court later this week.
Original story: ERT Operation in Vernon Neighbourhood (published March 20, 2026).
The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP.
Shot Fired at Downtown Vernon Park
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