Maple Ridge shooting victim is a realtor and former city councillor

The person who was airlifted to hospital after a shooting in Maple Ridge this afternoon is a realtor and former Maple Ridge city councillor.

Franz Prokop has been a real estate agent for 20 years, and is currently with MacDonald Realty. He also served as a Maple Ridge councillor in the 80’s.

Cpl. Alanna Dunlop with the Ridge Meadows RCMP said they received a call at about 12:40 p.m. from a man saying that he had been shot. “I can confirm that the victim has been shot with a firearm. Ridge Meadows RCMP Serious Crime Unit are aggressively investigating this very serious matter, and are still on scene with the Integrated Forensic Identification Section. At this time this does not appear to be a random act.,” she said.

The property Prokop was thought to be showing at the time is in the 24000-block of Lougheed Highway and is currently listed on the market for 1.88 million dollars.

When police arrived they searched the property and contained the area, but did not find anyone else.

Prokop also founded the Gourmet Hideaway Restaurant, which was later renamed Don Cherry’s, and burned down in a suspicious fire two years ago. Prokop was no longer the owner when it burned down.

Residents of the this rural area of Maple Ridge are shocked that anyone, let alone someone as well known as Prokop, could be shot in the middle of the day.

“It scares me a little bit as we could easily have been walking back there with our dogs,” said one resident.

Police have not offered any more information on Prokop’s condition, and are still on scene investigating.

Lougheed Highway was shut down in both directions for some time, but eastbound and one westbound lane has now been reopened.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251, or if you wish to remain anonymous call CRIME STOPPERS at 1 800 222-8477 or leave a TIP online at www.solvecrime.ca. Crime Stoppers will pay a reward of up to $2000  if your information leads to an arrest and conviction.