Accused Vancouver Mall shooter charged with witness tampering, asked girlfriend not to 'go against me'

Travis Ward, the accused shooter in the Vancouver Mall incident, has been charged with two counts of witness tampering after police revealed that he called his girlfriend from jail, instructing her not to testify against him in court. This follows a tragic shooting on Halloween night, where Ward allegedly killed 26-year-old James A. Perez and injured two others in a mall food court. The police recorded two significant phone calls where Ward pressured his girlfriend to disregard court summons, stating, "Just don't show up for court" and emphasizing that she should not "go against him. " These communications serve as crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation and highlight serious concerns regarding witness intimidation.

Ward's actions are particularly alarming given the gravity of the charges he already faces, including first-degree murder. The trial is scheduled to start in November, and Ward remains incarcerated without bail. This case underscores the complexities of criminal proceedings and the lengths to which some defendants may go to manipulate witnesses. The outcome will likely have significant implications for both the victims' families and the community at large.