‘Targeted incidents’ between groups of young people under investigation in Courtenay, B.C.

The Comox Valley RCMP detachment is seen in this image from its website. (Comox Valley RCMP)

Police in Courtenay, B.C., are asking the public for help as they investigate “a series of incidents” – including a serious assault – involving groups of young people earlier this week.

The incidents occurred from Tuesday evening into the early hours of Wednesday, the Comox Valley RCMP said in a news release Friday.

First, around 7:30 p.m., police responded to “reports of a group of youth chasing another group in the area of 21st Street and Piercy Avenue in Courtenay,” the release reads.

Witnesses told officers a suspect fired “what appeared to be a pellet gun” and deployed bear spray, police said, adding that some people received medical attention at the scene.

A short time later, police “received reports of theft and uttering threats,” which they believe involved the same group of young people.

Then, shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday, police received a report of an assault in the 800 block of Willemar Avenue.

Not quite 90 minutes later, around 4:20 a.m., police responded to a report of “an injured male” walking along Woods Avenue. He was taken to hospital, where he remained as of Friday, police said, adding that his injuries are serious, but not life-threatening.

“At this point, the evidence suggests that the most serious assault occurred on the 400 block of Willemar Avenue in Courtenay during a gathering of youth and young adults,” said Const. Monika Terragni, in the release.

“Evidence believed to be linked to one of the previous reports was recovered by investigators at the scene.”

The Comox Valley RCMP Major Crime Unit is investigating the incidents and working to locate and speak to all of the people who were involved, police said.

“Police believe these were all targeted incidents and all of the young adults and youth are known to one another,” the release reads. “There is no evidence to suggest an immediate threat to public safety.”

Anyone with information related to the incidents should call the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321, police said.