The son of a Sooke man who was shot in the stomach outside his home testified Friday about an unfriendly relationship with their next-door neighbours.
Gabriel Nelson took the stand in the trial of his family’s neighbour, Paul Tregear, who faces charges of aggravated assault, discharging a firearm with intent to wound, maim or disfigure, possessing a firearm without a licence and pointing a firearm at a person.
The Crown’s theory is that Tregear shot Anthony Nelson with a rifle on May 7, 2022, outside Nelson’s home because of ongoing conflicts between the two families.
Gabriel Nelson, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, told the jury about an incident two months before the shooting in which Tregear’s partner yelled at him for hosting a bonfire.
Gabriel Nelson testified he was with a group of friends on his long driveway when he saw a headlamp coming toward him.
From about 50 feet away, the person yelled at him: “Who do you think you are?”
He said he yelled the same thing back. As the person moved closer, he realized it was the neighbour’s partner.
She told him he couldn’t have the fire he was planning because it was on their property, he said.
The fire was not yet lit, but the group had gathered wood and planned its location, he testified.
The woman threatened to call the police and the fire department, and Gabriel Nelson told her to go ahead, he said.
The fire chief, a long-time family friend, arrived within about 20 minutes of the altercation, he said.
The fire chief told them to move the planned fire closer to their own home, so he didn’t receive any more calls asking him to return, Gabriel Nelson said.
Under cross-examination, Gabriel Nelson said the original fire location was about 60 to 80 feet from the property line with the Tregear property and that his interaction with Tregear’s partner lasted about one minute.
The trial continues Tuesday, when Anthony Nelson is expected to testify.
