Four people have been hospitalized with unconfirmed injuries after a shooting at a Richmond, B.C. banquet hall.
Witnesses say a lone gunman opened fire just before 9 p.m. at the Riverside Banquet Hall on River Road, sending a crowd of people running for the exits.
A few Good Samaritans tried to tackle the shooter, but he is believed to have escaped.
Footage of the aftermath shows one victim being treated on the ground as another is wheeled out on a gurney. Blood can be seen splattered on the carpet and covered chairs of the hall.
A wide area surrounding the building was cordoned off and witnesses reported seeing an RCMP helicopter overhead.
Insp. Bryon Massie confirmed Wednesday night that the shooting appears to have been targeted.
“The situation is still unfolding, there are numerous witnesses that are being interviewed by the Richmond detachment Serious Crimes Unit,” Massie said.
Mounties have not confirmed whether a suspect was arrested, and have not released any information on the shooter or shooters.
CTV News has learned that the banquet party was a celebration for Longshoremen on being accepted into the union.
The shooting victims, including one who was reportedly shot in the neck, were taken to Royal Columbian Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown.
The same banquet hall was the scene of a fatal shooting in 2001, when five people were shot at a wedding reception being held at the venue. Kelly Singh Buttar, 22, was killed.
Wednesday’s incident comes after a spate of shootings in nearby Surrey that left four people dead in just two days.
The first victim, 27-year-old Manjot Dhillon, was gunned down Sunday night in what police believe was a targeted shooting. The next two, Edward McGiveron and Geordie Carlow, both 33, were shot to death in a parking lot hours later.
On Tuesday morning, 29-year-old Manjinder “Manny” Hairan was killed in what appears was a gang-related murder.
