Richard Daniel Vigneault, a 27-year-old Saanich resident is facing numerous charges in relation to a shooting north of Courtenay in the early hours of March 14.
A 30-year-old resident encountered a man on his property and after a brief interaction was shot. The victim was taken to a local hospital by the provincial ambulance service for treatment with non-life threatening injuries.
Vigneault appeared before a Judicial Justice of the Peace on March 15, after being arrested without incident inside a residence in the 2200 block of Coleman Road.
Const. Rob Gardner, Comox Valley RCMP media relations officer confirmed the Island District Emergency Response Team was used to assist with the arrest, and that the victim was flown to a larger hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Because of the rural nature of the north Courtenay region, Gardner credited residents for tips given to police, as they are most familiar with the property and individuals within the area.
“As soon as they saw something or someone suspicious, they were able to call us. We have to take all the evidence we have from everything that happened up there,” he said.
Vigneault is facing numerous charges including break and enter, possession of a loaded restricted firearm without authorization, possession of a firearm while prohibited, unauthorized possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and breach of probation.
He has been remanded into custody and will make his second appearance Monday in Courtenay.
According to Court Services Online, he previously has faced charges of assault, assault causing bodily harm, mischief $5,000 or under, various breaches and willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer within the greater Victoria area.
“This complex investigation is still ongoing,” added Gardner.
“Police would once again like to thank the residents of Courtenay for their assistance in this investigation and remind anyone with any information, to contact the Comox Valley RCMP Detachment at 250-338-1321.”