Kelowna Gang Shooting Victim Paralyzed

Kelowna

First Posted: 08/17/11 10:26 PM ET Updated: 10/17/11 06:12 AM ET


A woman wounded in a gangland shooting in Kelowna, B.C., on Sunday has been left a quadriplegic, CBC News has learned.


Leah Hadden-Watts, of Maple Ridge, B.C., was in the Porsche SUV that was riddled with bullets, one of which shattered a vertebra in her neck, friends of the woman have confirmed to CBC News.


Jonathan Bacon, 30, a founder of the Red Scorpions gang and one of three notorious Fraser Valley brothers with gang associations, was killed in the shooting.


A senior member of the Hells Angels was wounded, as was another woman in the car and a third man, who fled the scene. Police said those injuries were not life-threatening.


Hadden-Watts, 21, is the niece of a prominent B.C. member of the Hells Angels, but not the member who was in the car.


Just hours before the shooting, the group of five who were later shot were seen on Okanagan Lake in a powerboat named Steroids & Silicone.


Women potential targets


Despite past killings of gang-related women, others who have been drawn to the lifestyle don't seem to be getting the message, said Sgt. Shinder Kirk of the Lower Mainland gang task force.


"The paradigm has shifted," said Kirk. "[Women] are no longer off-limits. They're now potential targets."


On social media, including Twitter, the young woman's friends have written messages of support.


"Leah's a quadriplegic. I am so heartbroken. I don't know what to do with myself," one tweet said.


"We're all here for you babe. Stay strong, you'll get through this. Love you Leah," said another.


No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting Sunday.


Police have expressed concern about potential retaliation arising from the Kelowna incident. A gang-related shooting in which a man was slightly injured in Surrey late Monday has not been linked to the Bacon slaying.


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A woman wounded in a gangland shooting in Kelowna, B.C., on Sunday has been left a quadriplegic, CBC News has learned. Leah Hadden-Watts, of Maple Ridge, B.C., was in the Pors...
A woman wounded in a gangland shooting in Kelowna, B.C., on Sunday has been left a quadriplegic, CBC News has learned. Leah Hadden-Watts, of Maple Ridge, B.C., was in the Pors...
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05:15 PM on 08/18/2011
With violent crime seemingly on the rise these days and violent gang crime with firearms on the rise it seems that the only logical choice is too allow Concealed Carry Weapons Permits and to duplicate some of the US 's gun laws as they seem to keep crime in check. 95% of the time when a CCW holder pulls his or her Firearm out they do not shoot and the Bad guys run a way and in only about 5% of the cases a round is fired not necessarily hitting the bad guy.

Liberals fear that the wild west would emerge but that is not the case, it would have a calming effect as the thugs wouldn't know who was carrying heat under their shirt or jacket or in their purse. The only factor that liberals need top worry about is the training aspect, holders of CCW must practice regularly and re-qualify every 3 months.
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sdgreen
12:34 AM on 08/18/2011
How unfortunate for this young woman. You can bet that retribution will occur. The peron(s) responsible should make arrangements to leave the North American continent post haste as his life is certainly in question.
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YankeeCanuck
dog
10:25 PM on 08/17/2011
An awful price to pay for being lured by a lifestyle that appeared glamourous.
I have friends whose daughter called from jail--lured into a in a credit-card smuggling scam by a seemingly glam and wealthy boyfriend. It could have been far worse. How sad.