The Saanich Police Major Crime Unit is investigating a shooting that sent a man to hospital Monday night, and led to the closing of a portion of the Galloping Goose Trail near the McKenzie interchange through Tuesday morning.
The man’s injuries appear to be non-life-threatening, said Insp. Damian Kowalewich.
The trail closing began just before 7 p.m. Monday and took in an area extending from McKenzie Avenue to Grange Road.
Police said the shooting was targeted, and after an extensive search by officers and a police dog, it’s believed there is no risk to the public.
Investigators continue to try to determine the exact location of the shooting and are working with the victim, he said.
A Times Colonist reporter saw two officers on each side of the trail about 7:10 p.m. Monday with a person between them and a backpack on the ground.
At about 7:45 p.m., a police vehicle was blocking trail traffic at Spectrum Community School and a police officer holding a long gun was helping to redirect people off the trail.
A preliminary search with a police dog was conducted on Monday night and police decided to close the area overnight for another search in the morning by Saanich officers and the Greater Victoria Public Safety Unit.
About 10 officers involved in the investigation passed south over the McKenzie pedestrian bridge just before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday holding poles resembling metal detectors and grabbers as they continued their search of the trail.
