Police ask public for help after shots fired into Armstrong storefront
The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are asking anyone with information to come forward after a business in Armstrong was struck by gunfire overnight.
Officers say the incident was discovered shortly after 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, when the owner of Alpha Vapes on Smith Drive found evidence consistent with a shooting. Investigators reviewed interior surveillance footage and determined the rounds were fired at the business shortly after 1 a.m.
"Using video from inside, it was determined that shortly after 1 a.m., someone discharged several rounds from a firearm into the business."
Police confirm there were no injuries. The detachment is treating the event as a criminal act and is canvassing witnesses, seeking additional video evidence and any dash-cam footage from the area that could shed light on who was involved.
What investigators are asking from the public
- Anyone who was in the Smith Drive area around the early hours of Sept. 11 and who may have dash-cam or surveillance recordings is urged to preserve that footage.
- Residents with private cameras, business CCTV, or doorbell video that captured activity near Alpha Vapes are asked to contact police, even if material seems minor.
- Anyone with information about suspicious vehicles or people in the area around the time of the incident should call the Armstrong detachment.
Investigators have assigned file number 2026-5702 to the matter. Those with information are asked to contact the Armstrong detachment of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at 250-546-3028.
Local context and consequences
While the shooting took place in Armstrong, the Vernon detachment’s jurisdiction covers the North Okanagan region, and incidents of this nature resonate across neighbouring communities. Gun-related property crime raises questions about public safety, the security of local businesses and the value of community-supplied video evidence in solving crimes.
Video from dash-cams and private cameras has increasingly been pivotal in piecing together movements and timelines for investigators in the North Okanagan. Police appeal notices often highlight that footage which appears irrelevant to residents can nonetheless contain crucial details: a license plate, a partial face, or the direction a vehicle travelled after an incident.
Business owners and residents are reminded to check and preserve any footage that corresponds with the timeframe of the shooting. Doing so can assist detectives and speed up the investigative process while helping to provide reassurance to neighbours worried about public safety.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Alpha Vapes, Smith Drive, Armstrong |
| Reported discovery | Around 8 a.m., Sept. 11 |
| Time of shooting (determined from video) | Shortly after 1 a.m. |
| Injuries | No injuries reported |
| RCMP contact | Armstrong detachment — 250-546-3028 (file 2026-5702) |
The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP continue their investigation and will accept tips from the public as they become available. Anyone with relevant video or information is encouraged to contact the detachment and reference the file number provided.
