British Columbia

Williams Lake Stampede shooter to spend 7 years in prison

The sentence for Jordell Anthony Sellars, 34, was reduced to seven years and 10 days with nearly two years credit for time spent in custody following his arrest at the Williams Lake Stampede in July 2022.

2 people were injured in the shooting and sent to hospital 

The Williams Lake, B.C. stampede grounds and stands of observers are seen prior to a shooting on the annual event's final afternoon on Sunday, July 3, 2022.
The Williams Lake, B.C., stampede grounds and stands of observers are seen prior to a shooting on the annual event's final afternoon on Sunday, July 3, 2022. Jordan Sellars was sentenced to nine years in prison, minus time served, in connection with the shootings (Submitted by Cody Call)

A man is facing a little over seven years in prison for shooting two people at a rodeo in Williams Lake, B.C., last year.

Jordell Anthony Sellars, 34, was sentenced to nine years in prison on Wednesday, and will serve seven years and 10 days with credit for time spent in custody following his arrest at the Williams Lake Stampede in July 2022.

Sellars was initially charged with one count of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault as well as four weapons-related offences.

The court accepted a joint submission by Crown and defence counsels after Sellars pleaded guilty to some charges in September. 

The attempted murder count was dropped in exchange for his guilty plea on aggravated assault charges and two gun-related offences.

Two people were injured in the shooting and sent to hospital. 

One of the victims was a longtime volunteer at the stampede. She was struck by a stray bullet while standing in line to buy her grandson mini doughnuts.

She did not attend the sentence hearing in Williams Lake, located in B.C.'s Interior, about 240 kilometres south of Prince George.

With files from Marcella Bernardo