Charges approved after Mount Pleasant shooting leaves man injured

Vancouver police say a 32-year-old man has been charged after a shooting in Mount Pleasant last week that left another man with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Shortly after 7 a.m. on Sept. 6, officers responded to a report that a man had been shot in the leg near a convenience store at Main Street and 16th Avenue. Paramedics treated the victim at the scene before taking him to hospital.

After reviewing CCTV footage, Vancouver Police Department major crime detectives identified a suspect. Later that day, Kamloops RCMP told investigators the same man had been taken into custody in Kamloops on an unrelated matter.

The BC Prosecution Service approved charges of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon against Victor Sorensen-Avila. He remains in custody in Kamloops awaiting a bail hearing.

Const. Darren Wong said gun violence in a busy neighbourhood such as Mount Pleasant is deeply concerning. While the incident was disturbing for residents and business owners, Wong said police quickly identified a suspect and do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the community.