A 26-year-old Victoria man has been arrested after attacking his partner and firing an assault rifle inside a Sooke home on New Year’s Eve.
The victim was house-sitting for a couple who were away during Christmas holidays – they came back on New Year’s Day to find their house completely trashed, and immediately called the police.
Besides smashed television and computer screens and slashed couches, they also found a high-powered rifle lying out in the open, with used cartridges on the floor.
Several shots fired
An investigation conducted by the RCMP Forensic Identification Section has revealed that several rounds of the hunting rifle were fired from inside the home – two of these were found lodged in neighbouring houses.
A few community members heard these shots being fired at around 9 PM on New Year’s Eve, and some of them even thought they were gunfire and not just fireworks. But no police calls were made.
Currently in custody
The suspect, identified by CHEK News as Ezra Adam Polstein, was in custody of the Vancouver Police Department on January 3rd on an unrelated matter, but was transported back to Sooke on January 4th where he remains in a cell.
He has been charged with assault causing bodily harm, careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief over $5,000. Polstein was scheduled to appear in Colwood Provincial Court on January 5th.
Causes and consequences
Investigators believe that consumption of alcohol, heroin, and methamphetamine was a contributing factor in the incident.
The victim of the domestic violence is safe and currently recovering from the attack.
Polestein’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 18th.
