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 neighbors.

Gabriel Nelson took the stand at the trial of his family’s neighbor, Paul Tregear, who faces charges of aggravated assault, discharging a firearm with intent to injure, maim or disfigure, possessing a firearm without a license and pointing a firearm. fire at a person.

The Crown’s theory is that Tregear shot Anthony Nelson with a shotgun 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 that he was with a group of friends on his long drive when he saw a beacon coming his way.

From about 50 meters away, the person shouted at him, “Who do you think you are?”

He said he yelled the same thing. As the person got closer, he realized it was the neighbor’s partner.

She told him she couldn’t have the fire she was planning because it was on their property, he said.

The fire was not yet lit, but the group had collected wood and planned its location, he testified.

The woman threatened to call the police and fire department, and Gabriel Nelson told her to go ahead, he said.

The fire chief, an old 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 get any more calls asking them to come back, Gabriel Nelson said.

During cross-examination, Gabriel Nelson said the initial location of the fire was about 60 to 80 feet from the property line with Tregear’s property and that his interaction with Tregear’s partner lasted about a minute.

The trial continues Tuesday, when Anthony Nelson is expected to testify.

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