Hello there!

With Emma moving on to a new job, I'll be holding down the fort here at The Westshore. If there are certain topics or stories you'd like us to cover this fall, please reply to this email and let me know!

Over the weekend, two of the region's biggest stories happened in the Westshore. But, unfortunately, neither story was a positive one. Two lives have been lost, two more hang in the balance in hospital, and another has been threatened.

— Cam

NEWS

Attack on singer's home leaves bullets & burning vehicles on quiet Colwood road

AP Dhillon, a Camosun student turned internationally popular Punjabi singer and rapper, is unharmed after an apparent attack on his house in Colwood. West Shore RCMP said that after calls at 1:15am on Monday, officers found multiple shots fired at a home on Ravenwood and two burning vehicles which Colwood Fire quickly put out.

Police describe it as a “targeted event” and seek drivers’ dashcam footage from nearby Veterans Memorial Parkway between 12 and 1:30am. India Today reported on Monday that Dhillon's homes in Woodbridge, Ontario and on “Victoria Island” were shot at, and reposted a video that appears to show the Colwood shooting.

Neighbours told the Vancouver Sun that security cameras showed a black SUV driving on Ravenwood Road before shots were heard around 1am. Diane Reed said that she saw the remnants of two burning vehicles, and that the only person home had been Shinda Kahlon (a musician Dhillon often works with).

Dhillon, 31, posted on Instagram on Labour Day afternoon, saying “I'm safe. My people are safe,” thanking people who reached out to him, and wishing “Peace and love to all.”

Several reports indicate that a gang has targeted Dhillon over his association with Salman Khan, one of the biggest actors in the world, who starred in Dhillon's latest music video. Recent attacks against Khan, and people around him, relate to a multi-decade poaching case.

Read more details on the situation in the full story at Capital Daily. 

NEWS

Tragedy struck in Metchosin on the eve of Overdose Awareness Day

Community members in the Westshore marked International Overdose Awareness Day with a solemn gathering in Sooke on Saturday to remember lives lost to drug overdose and to support those struggling with addiction. Those gathered had two more lives to mourn.

Early on Friday morning, West Shore RCMP responded to a report of a group of four people experiencing medical distress at Taylor Beach in Metchosin. Despite efforts of first responders, RCMP confirmed two women died at the scene and two men, who appeared to be suffering drug overdoses, were rushed to hospital in critical condition.

The BC Coroners Service was notified of the deaths and the police investigation continues. Beach and road access was restricted in the area of Taylor Road while the investigation took place.

RCMP do not suspect any foul play or risk to the general public.

Last year, 2,572 lives were lost to drug toxicity across BC, per the latest BC Coroner report. This year, 162 died in July alone. And while that number is down 15% from last year, the numbers show that the toxic drug crisis in the CRD is far from receding. 

The deaths in Metchosin came only two days after a soft launch for the Westshore Mental Health and Substance Use Hub. The hub integrates existing mental health and addiction services for Westshore communities and brings holistic, client-centred care to those struggling with the braided challenges of addiction and mental health. 

Read the full story by Sidney Coles.

Around the 'Shore

🚪 New Colwood care hub for mental health & substance use opens tomorrow: The clinic on Allandale aims to improve access to care—and reduce the need to travel downtown—with same-day walk-in or call-in counselling, assessments, care planning, and referrals to more intensive services. The hub has 400 current clients, and adds 1,500 more who were getting single-session services out of CARE offices on Goldstream Avenue. [Full story]

⚖ 3-year probation for Colwood bus gropings: Adam Barber, 36, pleaded guilty to assaulting a pair of young women on BC Transit in Nov. 2021 while “really drunk.” Probation requires that Barber, who has been in and out of psychiatric care since age 18, take all his medications and no non-prescribed intoxicants. The judge chose a suspended sentence over a conditional discharge (a type of non-conviction that Barber received last fall for a separate Sept. 2021 sexual assault). [CHEK]

⚽️ Pacific FC eliminated from Canadian Championship: Despite a lukewarm season in their own league, the Langford soccer club reached the semifinals of the multi-league national tournament. But they lost both games 0-1 to the Vancouver Whitecaps, who now move on to face fellow major-leaguers Toronto FC. [TSN]

👐 The Gadsden Initiative engages a new generation of philanthropists. Join a cohort of likeminded community members, attend free events, and start your philanthropy journey! Read more in Pulse 2024 magazine!*

*Sponsored Listing

Community Events

🍖 Esquimalt Ribfest: This tasty food festival will feature local beverages, live music, and of course, some tasty, smoky ribs. Head to Bullen Park this Friday to Sunday from 11am to 10pm.

🐕 Metchosin Community Day: Head to the Metchosin Municipal Grounds behind the fire hall on Happy Valley Road this Sunday, Sept. 8 at 11am and enjoy a pet show, games, and plenty of treats at this community event.

⚽️ Pacific FC vs. HFX Wanderers FC: See the Pacific FC kick off this Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7pm at Starlight Stadium against the Halifax Wanderers.  

Westshore Snaps

The last days of summer. – Glenys Pumfrey of Colwood

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Westshore local.

And before you go, let us know: