Arrest made in Penticton shooting

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A terrible tragedy visited the Penticton Indian Band Oct. 30 that left three young men dead and three more injured in a shooting incident.

Two Aboriginal men, Quincy Paul, 29 and Robin Baptiste, 24 of Penticton, died, along with Damien Endreny, a 20-year-old Caucasian male from Oliver.

They were found by RCMP at a roadside picnic pullout near a creek, just off the highway, about 4 kilometres west of the Channel Parkway.

Billy Gabriel, 18, his older brother Tommy Gabriel and Dustin Joseph Paul were found injured at the same location.

On Nov. 3, RCMP announced that Dustin Joseph Paul would appear in Penticton court that day charged with three counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. His next court appearance via video is scheduled for Nov. 15.

Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Cst. Heather Macdonald told Raven's Eye that when the injured men were originally taken to Penticton Regional Hospital Oct. 30, "they were in serious condition.

"They were then updated to, I believe, one was in serious, one was in stable and one was due to be released."

The men were placed under RCMP guard at the hospital.

"One of the males was released from the hospital. One of the males was transported to Kelowna General Hospital for surgery, I believe ... (He is) still in Kelowna General Hospital, as far as I know," Macdonald said Nov. 5.

One of the injured men was arrested.

"Dustin Joseph Paul was arrested and ... is in Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre."

Macdonald gave this account of the RCMP's actions.

"At about twenty to three on Oct. 30, Penticton RCMP responded to a reported shooting on Green Mountain Road, about 4 km west of the Channel Parkway.

"Upon arrival, members discovered the bodies of three adult males. Three other males who were injured were taken to Penticton Regional Hospital and the road was closed."

She said that following an RCMP investigation, "We arrested Dustin Joseph Paul at about nine o'clock in the morning on Nov. 2."

RCMP are not releasing any details about the arrest, and Macdonald said she would not speculate on a motive for the shooting.

On Nov. 1, the Gabriel brothers' mother Nancy Gabriel stated on BCTV News that a fight had occurred at the scene of the shooting.

She said Billy was shot in the arm twice after begging the alleged shooter not to do it, but according to his mother Billy floated himself down a creek as if he were dead, which she speculated may have saved his life.

She said her elder son Tommy was shot in the mouth and was transferred from Picton Regional Hospital to another hospital.

RCMP expected to open Green Mountain Road Nov. 3, but still had not done so by the morning of Nov. 5, according to Macdonald.

"We're still actively investigating," Macdonald said. "We're speaking with numerous individuals in an attempt to figure out what events led up to this incident."

Asked whether alcohol was involved, Macdonald said, "That's not information that I have."

Autopsies on the deceased were scheduled for Nov. 2 in Penticton.

Pentiction Indian Band chief and president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Stewart Phillip was unable to reach us by press time.

The Penticton Indian Band, a community of 900, has established the Pentiction Indian Band Victims' Family Relief Fund to help the families of the deceased deal with their loss.

Donations can be made to the fund through the Penticton Indian Band administration office or at any Royal Bank. Deposits at the Royal Bank can be made to account number 101445-5, transit number 4160.

On Nov. 2, out of respect for the members and families of the Okanagan Nation, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs postponed the remainder of its 36th annual general assembly then underway and postponed the election of a president for a period of 30 days.