Merritt RCMP are continuing to investigate a string of shootings from last week as they had a block of Quilchena Avenue blocked off for several hours this afternoon.

This after multiple police cruisers could be seen by the Fountain Tire on Granite Avenue last night, with residents nearby reporting they heard what appeared to be flashbangs.

Speaking on NL Newsday, Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz, says he believes the two incidents – and two from last week – are all connected.

“You can pretty much guarantee that everything is going to be related as we move along,” Goetz said.

“It is cleaning up the community and sending a message that Merritt is not going to take this and if you are in this kind of lifestyle you probably should be peeking through your blind and maybe considering living somewhere else because this is going to be a full court press until this is done, no matter what you do in the community.”

Goetz says while there is no indication when the police operations will be done, he is optimistic that the end is near.

“As these people get rousted, I do believe more information comes up [leading to more police operations],” Goetz said, noting that while he was briefed of some of the police operations, others happened at a moment’s notice.

Goetz also says he has been assured by Merritt RCMP Sgt. Josh Roda, the acting detachment commander, that there is no concern for public safety in the Nicola Valley community.

“We are going to be having a tree light up tomorrow and we have been assured that there is absolutely zero concern for the community to not be out and about,” Goetz added.

“When they give you that kind of information, you know that it is getting better, so I would image we are getting closer to the end of this and [the RCMP] will continue to rout these people to get them out of our community.”

NL News has calls into Merritt RCMP for more information and will update this story when more is known

Fire dept on scene now, police have gone into the house according to locals pic.twitter.com/1oxMb3HuIU

— Kamscan💀👽 (@Kamscan) November 21, 2022