Police are still looking for a man suspected to be involved in a lethal shooting in Sparwood in October.
BC RCMP Southeast District Major Crime Unit officials said they are asking for public assistance in the search for Joshua Freeman, who is a person of interest in the death of Joel Zimbalatti.
Police said Freeman has been known to go by the alias “Slim.”
“Police are taking the step of releasing Mr. Freeman’s name and photograph as conventional avenues of trying to locate him have been exhausted,” said RCMP officials.
The incident happened on Oct. 11, 2023, when the Elk Valley RCMP detachment got a call about a shooting in a trailer in the 6200 block of Sparwood’s Lower Elk Valley Road.
One man was arrested at the scene, but the investigation led police to suspect a second man was at the scene when the shooting happened.
The man had left the scene before police arrived, and investigators asked the public for help identifying him.
“Numerous tips were received from the public which helped in identifying Slim as one, Joshua Freeman, and investigators are now looking to speak with Mr. Freeman,” said police officials.
Freeman was last seen in the Kimberley area a day after the shooting, but police said he is known to have ties to the Okanagan area.
“Mr. Freeman is believed to be one of the last people to see Mr. Zimbalatti alive before he was shot and it is imperative that investigators speak with Mr. Freeman regarding this investigation,” said Staff Sergeant Jason Smart.
If you see Freeman, you should contact your local police.
“Should you have information regarding Mr. Freeman please call the BC RCMP Southeast District Major Crime Unit information line at 1-877-987-8477,” said RCMP officials.
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