RCMP seek witness of 'suspicious' Kootenay shooting, believed to have ties to the Okanagan

Mounties in the east Kootenays are looking for a witness to a shooting that happened earlier this month.

On Oct. 11, Elk Valley RCMP received a report of a shooting that left one man dead.

When officers arrived at the scene of a trailer in Sparwood, they arrested one male and a search resulted in officers finding Joel Zimbalatti dead inside.

The man was later released without charges as the investigation was carried out.

The death of Zimbalatti has been deemed suspicious by the RCMP and the Southeast District Major Crime Unit was called in to investigate, a release explains.

During the initial investigation, investigators were able to determine that another man was at the scene of the shooting but left the area before officers arrived.

Investigators say the man goes by the alias “Slim” and is known to have ties to the Okanagan.

“Slim is believed to be one of the last people to see Mr. Zimbalatti alive, before he was shot and it is imperative that investigators speak with Slim regarding this investigation,” says Inspector Brent Novakoski, District Senior Investigating Officer, SED MCU.

Slim was last seen in the Kimberley area and is described as:

• Caucasian male

• 20-25 years old

• Tall

• Skinny

• Hair - Black

• Noticeable side burns which are trimmed narrow

• Last seen wearing the same clothing in the attached photograph

Anyone who may encounter the man is advised to not approach him and call 9-1-1 immediately.

People with information on his potential location are asked to call the BC RCMP SED MCU tip line at 1-877-987-8477.