UPDATE 3:57 p.m.

Calling it a “brazen, daylight incident,” police continued Thursday afternoon to investigate a shooting in Polson Park. The RCMP are appealing for witnesses. One man is in hospital.

At 1:30 p.m., police received several reports someone had been shot.

Upon arrival at the scene, investigators discovered a man who was suffering from a gunshot wound.

He was transported to hospital for treatment of what police called serious but non-life threatening injuries.

"The park was immediately closed and systematically evacuated to ensure public safety and to identify and speak with possible witnesses to this incident," said Cpl. Janelle Shoihet, RCMP spokesperson.

“An evidentiary search is currently underway with assistance from the integrated police dog service. During this time, areas of the park, including the boardwalk, steps and walkway will remain inaccessible, while other areas of the park have re-opened.”

Shoihet said police are working to “identify those responsible for this brazen, daylight incident.”

Anyone with information or was a witness to the incident and have not already spoken to the RCMP, are asked to call the police at 250-545-7171 and cite file # 2017-13984.

UPDATE 2:45 p.m.

Polson Park was closed to the public Thursday afternoon after Vernon RCMP swarmed the area.

One person has been taken to hospital.

More than a dozen police cars, along with ambulance and fire crews, descended on the park after an unconfirmed report of a violent incident near a homeless encampment.

An ambulance crew and firefighters were asked to remain away from the scene until authorized to enter the area.

Shortly after arriving, police closed the entire park, demanding members of the public leave.

City bylaw officials were also on hand making sure no one else entered the park, setting up barricades at the entrance to Highway 6.

At least five police cars were in the main part of Polson Park with another half dozen parked at the Polson Drive entrance to the boardwalk area.

There is no official word on what happened, but two people at the scene told Castanet someone had been shot in the so called 'tent city.'

Numerous people are living in the park full-time, but there is no word if the incident was connected to the homeless camp.

One man who was leaving the wooded area after speaking with police told Castanet someone had been shot near the boardwalk area.

The man declined to give his name.

RCMP with assault rifles could be seen entering the wooded area of the park from Polson Drive. A police dog unit was also seen with the armed officers.

One injured male was taken to hospital by ambulance after being tended to in the park, according to Vernon Fire Rescue.



The fire department refused further comment stating it was still an open police investigation.

Castanet has called the RCMP for comment and will update when more information becomes available.

UPDATE: 2:32 p.m.

The RCMP have closed Polson Park to the public.

Barricades were being set up and at least a dozen police officers were involved in the operation Thursday afternoon.

The immediate closure follows an incident at the back of the park where homeless people have been camping.

Police, fire and ambulance converged on the scene around 1:40 p.m. after an unconfirmed report of a shooting.

UPDATE: 2:07 p.m.

An ambulance has arrived at Polson Park in an area known to be used by homeless people camping and where police have blocked off the scene.

ORIGINAL STORY: 1:49 p.m.

A number of police cars have converged on Polson Park for an incident believed to be in an area where homeless people have been camping.

Witnesses saw a number of police cars with sirens going, heading to the area shortly after 1:30 p.m.

Police officers with dogs were reported to be at the scene, in a wooded area behind the Kal Tire office.

Six police vehicles have blocked off Polson Drive, directly behind the Kal Tire office.

Castanet will update when information becomes available.