WATCH: RCMP officers are canvassing a Burnaby neighbourhood today after an apparent late-night shootout. Officers were called out after receiving several reports of gun shots — but so far — they haven’t found any victims. Grace Ke reports.
Police are hoping to speak to any witnesses after gunfire erupted in a normally quiet area of Burnaby Thursday night.
Staff Sgt. Major John Buis with the Burnaby RCMP detachment told Global News they received a number of calls about shots being fired shortly before 10 p.m.
Police tape blocked off the area between 16th and 18th Avenue for hours overnight.
Investigators located a significant number of shell casings on the ground, but found no vehicles or victims in the area.
“We don’t know what kind of firearm was used,” says Buis. “We know it was a gun of some sort and we know multiple shots were fired.”
Buis says they have been canvassing the neighbourhood to try to find witnesses who may have seen or heard anything last night to help in the investigation.
Some residents told Global News they heard what sounded like machine gun fire.
“It could be a number of things,” says Buis. “It does not really determine what style of firearm was being used, particularly if more than one firearm was used at the same time.
In light of gang related violence in Surrey that has rattled many people in the community, questions are being raised by people living in the area about whether this is the beginning of a turf war.
Buis says they don’t know if this incident was gang related, but he is reassuring the public they are investigating.
“It is very serious whenever shots are fired indiscriminately in a quiet neighbourhood,” he says. “We are very fortunate that we have not, so far, seen anyone get injured.”
Buis says he understands people are frightened.
“It is very, very unusual. I want to reassure them we put a lot of resources into this to find out exactly who has done this and make sure it stops.”
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is not currently involved because no victims have been identified.
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