Firearms complaint

July 16, 2025 - Castlegar, British Columbia
From: Castlegar RCMP

Content

On June 18, 2025 at 8:55pm Castlegar RCMP received a complaint of a male holding a long barrelled firearm in the rural area who approach a group of teenagers requesting they stay off of his property. Prior to encountering the male, the group advised they heard what sounded like two gun shots. The group advised they were staying out overnight and set up camps in the area, when after they heard the two gunshots. Later, they were approached by the male who did not threaten the group with violence, nor point the firearm at them, however asked they stay off of his property.

Police arrived on scene and spoke to the teenagers and adults, and the male, who no longer had possession of the firearm. The male advised he and his partner were walking on his rural property, with the firearm for animal protection, when they came across a tent, holes dug in the earth, items scattered along the ground, and trees cut down on his property. With no one observed in the area they suspected the camps were abandoned and proceeded to take down the camps when they heard a group of people approaching. They met with the teenagers and adults learning the camps were not abandoned, and recently set up by the teenagers participating in an overnight wilderness camp. The group of teenagers who unknowingly set up camps on the males property, agreed to remove any property.

Upon the teenagers returning to their camps they identified recent damage that appeared to by a cut tent and equipment that appeared to have been shot. The teenagers collected the items and left the area calling police again to inform of the property damage.

Police returned and observed damage to a pack consistent with being shot. Police again spoke to the male and to his partner. Both denied causing damage to any property with a firearm, stating the firearm was discharged toward a bear that was witnessed while they were removing the camps.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Castlegar RCMP at (250)365-7721.

Written by,
Sgt. Monty Tayler,
Detachment Commander 

Contacts