Frightened family says it faced threats, pellet gun, machete at Chehalis campsite
Posted June 2, 2021 6:19 am.
Last Updated June 2, 2021 6:42 pm.
AGASSIZ (NEWS 1130) – There’s been another report of aggressive, threatening behaviour pushing a family out of a campsite in the eastern Fraser Valley, this time at Chehalis Lake north of Harrison Mills.
Agassiz RCMP are hoping someone can help identify two men accused of forcing a family out of the site by shooting a pellet gun in their direction, before pulling a machete, assaulting a woman, and then demanding the family leave the area.
According to Mounties, it happened at a remote forest recreation site just before midnight on Sunday May 23.
The family is said to have packed up and “fled in fear,” reporting the incident to police.
#Agassiz – Agassiz RCMP seek public assistance to identify suspects in incident at Chehalis Lake campsite https://t.co/UomQRC3nrS #UFVRD pic.twitter.com/onHGGZrlPE
— Upper Fraser Valley RCMP (@UFVRD_RCMP) June 1, 2021
This happened the same weekend a similar incident took place at a campsite near West Harrison Lake. In that instance, a woman said in a social media post that a group of men threatened her and her friends.
“[One of the men] screamed that they had guns and were going to shoot them in our direction,” the woman recalled in a Facebook post. “He screamed that he’s going to slash our tires and blare music all night just to piss us off.”
Police confirm the May 23 incident is the second case “in which violence and threats have been reported in area campsites.”
Read more: Agassiz RCMP looking into claims of threats at Harrison campground, social media posts
“These criminal acts are not tolerated and the Agassiz RCMP continue their investigation into these matters in order to hold the people involved responsible,” said Sgt. Mike Sargent in a release Tuesday.
He says Mounties have stepped up patrols in these areas and that people can expect to see a police presence over the next few months “so that everyone has the opportunity to safely enjoy their camping experience.”
Police are looking to identify the two men pictured. One suspect is described as a Caucasian man who has a black beard, medium-length black hair, and who is about 6 feet tall and in his late 30s to 40s. A second suspect is described as a Caucasian man who is bald with a black goatee, weighs about 250 to 300 pounds, and is about 40 years old.
Anyone who may have seen what happened or who has any information is asked to contact the RCMP at 604.796.2211.
