RCMP in Coquitlam, B.C., say they have brought on extra resources and are beefing up police presence in the Coquitlam Centre area after the fourth shooting since the start of the year.
“It’s incredibly concerning that while these individuals are targeting one another, my fear — and it has happened in the past — is that an innocent member of the public will be caught in the crossfire,” said Insp. Darren Carr, acting officer in charge of the Coquitlam detachment on Tuesday.
Gunfire broke out in the parking lot outside a Cactus Club at Coquitlam Centre near Barnet Highway and Pinetree Way, just before midnight on Sunday.
A man and woman were found inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds and were rushed to the hospital, where they remained on Tuesday.
Police have since identified a silver Chrysler 200, found on fire near 180 Street and Golden Ears Way in Surrey, as the suspect vehicle.
Investigators believe they are also looking for at least two suspects.
“Obviously when we have a shooting in our community it raises the temperature of the public, rightly so, especially given this is now the fourth shooting we’ve had since the start of the year,” Carr said.
“We take these matters seriously, we’re investigating them diligently, and public safety is our number one priority.”
Police believe the Sunday shooting to have been targeted. However, they don’t believe it was related to a trio of shootings on Jan. 4, Jan. 5 and Jan. 6.
“We’re operating on the assumption they are related,” Carr said of the January incidents.
No one was hurt in the Jan. 4 incident, which happened near Johnson Street and Glen Drive, and police arrested two suspects.
The Jan. 5 attack happened near David Avenue and Mitchell Street, and while police located a victim they were not hurt.
The Jan. 6 shooting happened near Westwood Street and Glen Drive and left a man dead.
Police are looking for witnesses and video of the most recent shooting in the Cactus Club parking lot.
Investigators want to speak with anyone who saw the silver Chrysler in Surrey around 12:16 a.m. on Monday. They’re also looking for any video recorded at either the crime scene or the vehicle fire scene.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550
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