Retiree was the victim of mail bomb blast in British Columbia: neighbour

PORT ALICE, B.C. — A retired pulp mill worker has been identified as the victim of a mail bomb attack in the tiny village of Port Alice on Vancouver Island.

The Mounties say they are investigating a targeted blast that went off when the victim opened a mail package at a home on Tuesday.

Shannon MacGregor said her neighbour Roger Nepper was injured in the blast and she drove him to the local clinic for treatment.

MacGregor said she was out grocery shopping and when she returned home, she saw smoke coming from Nepper’s house. Moments later Nepper appeared at the front door step with his right arm pressed against his chest.

“Roger came to the doorway, standing sideways with his right arm up in the air, moaning,” said MacGregor. “I said, ‘Are you OK, Roger? ‘ He said he called the ambulance, the fire department and police … and he needs to get to the hospital.”

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She said Nepper appeared to be in shock and said little during the short drive to the hospital.

His right hand appeared to be seriously injured, MacGregor said.

“His left hand was holding up his right hand.”

An official with Island Health in Victoria said Nepper remained in hospital and did not want to comment.

Deputy Mayor Bruce Lloyd said Nepper is in his mid 60s and is known in the community of about 800 people as a former local boxing coach.

“He was a boxer, a very good boxer,” said Lloyd, adding that Nepper has lived in Port Alice for more than 30 years. “He taught boxing when he first moved up here. He taught the whole town boxing.”

Nepper was employed as a mason at the local pulp mill, which has been shut down since March 2015, said Lloyd. Nepper retired about 15 years ago.

The RCMP has not identified who was injured but say the victim received serious but non life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.

The Canadian Press