Skip to content

3 arrested, charged following multiple shots fired and alleged kidnapping in Merritt

The three men were arrested as they tried to flee the scene
31069451_web1_221124-KCN-merritt-kidnapping_1

Three men have been arrested and charged following a shooting and alleged kidnapping in Merritt, according to RCMP.

Officers responded to shots fired on Friday (Nov. 15) in the 1300 block of Priest Road. As police arrived on scene a dark-coloured sedan was seen fleeing the area. Mounties later located the vehicle parked at a residence at the 1700 block of Nicola Avenue.

People were asked to stay away from the area as armed officers were seen entering a backyard of a residence to try to gain access to the targeted house. Capital News was on the phone with a local resident on Friday afternoon when police used a flash bang and a battering ram on the door of a neighbouring home.

During the standoff, three suspects tried to escape, but all were caught and arrested. According to Merritt RCMP Sgt. Josh Roda, police found a victim inside the home who was safe and uninjured.

Braeden Shane Drake, Mark Ethan Giesbrecht, and William Joseph Lavoie have been charged with hostage-taking with a firearm and entering a home without lawful excuse. All are currently being held in custody.

“There has been a brazen disregard for public safety recently in our community and having these individuals off our streets will hopefully restore a sense of security back to the community,” said Sgt. Josh Roda. “We want to thank the public for their patience as we worked diligently to mitigate any further risk.”

This is the second incident involving gunfire in Merritt this past week. More than 100 rounds were fired in several areas of the community on Tuesday, Nov. 15. A Dodge Ram pickup truck is reported to be connected to the shooting. The truck was found abandoned and burned on Friday morning near Highway 5 and Highway 5A, in the area of the Goedy Creek pit.

Police stated that the two incidents may be related.

The RCMP is asking for anyone with information on the kidnapping and the Nov. 15 shooting to please step forward and contact the detachment at 250-378-4262.

READ MORE: Heavy police presence in Merritt after shots fired


@cunninghamjordy
jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Breaking News You Need To Know

Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters.

Sign Up with google Sign Up with facebook

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Reset your password

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox.



Don't have an account? Click here to sign up


Jordy Cunningham

About the Author: Jordy Cunningham

Hailing from Ladner, B.C., I have been passionate about sports, especially baseball, since I was young. In 2018, I graduated from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops with a Bachelor of Journalism degree
Read more