Man charged with attempted murder after shots fired in Nanaimo road rage incident

A 43-year-old man is in police custody on attempted murder and firearm charges following a road rage incident in which shots were fired into another vehicle.

No one was injured in the incident which was reported just before 1 p.m. on Sunday February 5 at the intersection of Boxwood Road and Northfield Road.

Witnesses told police that it appeared two vehicles had been involved in a prior road rage incident while driving northbound along the Nanaimo Parkway. The vehicles then came to a stop at a red light. Moments later, a man exited one of the vehicles with a handgun and fired into the other vehicle.  Both drivers fled. Multiple 911 calls were then received.

Based on information provided to investigators, police attended to a home in the Departure Bay area. There, they spoke to a 17-year-old youth who said he was driving the vehicle that was shot at. Officers confirmed that his vehicle, an older model Pontiac Sunfire, had sustained damage consistent with being struck by gunfire.

Continuing with their investigation, Nanaimo RCMP, with the assistance of the Ladysmith RCMP, managed to locate the suspect and his vehicle, an older model Jeep Wrangler, in the Cedar area. The suspect was taken into custody without incident. Several firearms were located and seized from his vehicle.

Reza Rahiman, of Ladysmith, appeared in Nanaimo Provincial Court on Monday, February 6 and was formally charged with attempted murder and discharge a firearm with intent to injure or wound. He remains in police custody.

The investigation continues. If anyone has dash cam video or eye witness evidence to the road rage incident or the shooting and have not spoken with police, they are requested to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345, and quote file # 2023-4128.