Westside Road shooter could get dangerous offender status

KELOWNA – The man who shot at police as he and two accomplices fled from police along Westside Road in 2012 will be evaluated by a psychiatrist to determine if he is a dangerous offender.

In late February, Michael Ellis, 41, was found guilty of unlawful discharge of a prohibited weapon, armed robbery, attempted robbery, pointing a weapon at a person, possessing  prohibited firearms, being in a vehicle with prohibited firearms, operating a vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and failing to stop for police.

Although he was found not guilty of attempted murder, he could still face an indeterminate sentence if a psychiatrist finds him to be a danger to the public.

In his decision, Justice Ian Josephson said Ellis, who has been on trial since September last year, played a role in shooting at several police officers but that his intent to kill was not established.

Ellis’s long-time friend and former co-accused Shawn Wysynski is currently serving nine years in federal prison for using a loaded gun to carjack one motorist and attempting to carjack another. In January, he testified he ordered Ellis at gunpoint to get away from police that day and was the one who shot at police.

If a dangerous offender recommendation is made the case will go to a hearing and Ellis would be put in prison until deemed fit for release.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.