A woman being evicted from an assisted-living apartment allegedly pulled a shotgun and fired on a staff member before police arrived and shot her.
Two people were taken to hospital after the initial shooting, which occurred at the Good Samaritan Canada Christenson Village in Gibsons shortly before 4:30 yesterday afternoon.
Witnesses told CBC News that the staff member shot was a male assistant manager who was responsible for kitchen and housekeeping duties. He was hit in the stomach and arm.
RCMP Cpl. Peter Thiessen confirmed that one person was shot by police, but did not release any more details.
“I can confirm at the time of this advisory, 7:20 p.m., there are no fatalities in what is confirmed an officer-involved shooting,” Thiessen said in a statement.
He was responding to earlier media reports that said three people were killed in the incident.
A nightshift worker at one of the three dementia care cottages at the facility said she arrived at 7 p.m. to find the road in front of the complex blocked off by police tape with various officers “out front and in the back.”
“I’m a little bit nervous,” said the woman, who asked that her name not be used. “You don’t expect this in the workplace.”
She added that she was surprised to learn one of the residents had a weapon in her apartment.
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority said two victims had been airlifted to hospital and were being treated for gunshot wounds. No further details as to the extent of the injuries were given.
Gibsons is located on the Sunshine Coast, a short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay.
Gibsons complex
• The Good Samaritan Canada Christenson Village opened in 2007 as an affordable housing option for seniors. The site includes 60 assisted-living apartments and 80 complex-care beds, 30 of which are designated for dementia-care clients.
