One hurt in drive-by pellet gun attacks targeting crowds in Nanaimo, B.C.

NANAIMO — Police are investigating a pair of airsoft pellet gun attacks against random people in Nanaimo, B.C., that left one injured.

RCMP say both attacks happened in downtown Nanaimo on Thursday night, when pellets were fired at crowds from passing vehicles.

Police say the first attack occurred before 9 p.m., when patrons waiting outside the Queens nightclub were fired on from a black van with several passengers.

About 30 minutes later, officers responded to a bus stop near the Port Place Mall, where witnesses said pellets were fired at waiting passengers from a silver sedan carrying several masked people.

RCMP say one person was hit in the face and received medical treatment.

They say officers conducted patrols, but the suspect vehicles weren’t located.

Reserve Const. Gary O’ Brien with Nanaimo RCMP says it’s unclear if the same group was responsible for both attacks, since they involved different vehicles.

Police are appealing for witnesses and people with dashcam or surveillance footage to contact them.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Mar. 13, 2026.