Nanaimo RCMP are searching for a man they say was involved in an alleged shooting outside Woodgrove Centre.
Police said a confrontation involving a group of young people on Feb. 11 escalated and one person suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the incident happened around 3:30 p.m. Officers are trying to locate the shooter, who has been identified.
“The situation quickly escalated when one youth allegedly dispersed bear spray and another suspect produced a firearm. Several individuals were exposed to the bear spray, and one youth was injured from the firearm discharge,” police said in a news release. “Police were engaged from the outset but received conflicting reports and were only able to confirm the location and circumstances of the alleged shooting on the morning of Thursday, February 12.”
RCMP said the suspect and victim know each other and investigators believe it was an isolated incident. The victim went to hospital for treatment and was later released. Police said he is expected to make a full recovery.
