Trial set for alleged shooter

A South Okanagan man's fate will be in the hands of a jury later this month when he goes to trial on charges stemming from a 2022 Canada Day shooting.

Steven Gallagher, 32, appeared briefly in Kelowna court Friday by way of video for some pre-trial matters, in anticipation of his 10-day jury trial.

Details of Friday's appearance are covered under a publication ban, so as not to bias a potential jury.

Gallagher is facing charges of aggravated assault, pointing a firearm and unlawfully discharging a firearm, stemming from a widely-reported incident in Osoyoos on July 1, 2022 that left a Maple Ridge man injured.

RCMP went public at the time with their allegations about the events. Sgt. Jason Bayda of the Osoyoos RCMP said at the time that "there was an altercation between two groups and one person pulled out a gun" on White Sands Beach on the east side of Osoyoos Lake.

Police publicly named Gallagher as a suspect, urging him to come forward, on July 6, 2022. Later that same day he reported to police, according to a subsequent public RCMP update.

Gallagher has since pleaded not guilty. His 10-day jury trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 28 in Penticton.