A startling string of shootings in Surrey has put many residents on edge and left Mounties hunting for multiple gunmen.
The RCMP has confirmed there were four shootings in less than two days in B.C.’s second-largest city, and two people were hospitalized.
Sgt. Dale Carr said investigators believe at least three of the attacks are linked and targeted, and officers are working to track down those responsible.
“We would like to get these individuals off the street, the guns in our custody,” Carr said.
It’s unclear whether the latest shooting, which took place in broad daylight Wednesday, is related to the others.
The first was reported early Tuesday morning, around 4 a.m., when a 20-year-old Surrey man was dropped off at hospital suffering gunshot wounds. The RCMP wasn’t able to determine where the shooting took place, but found an abandoned vehicle later in the day that may have been involved.
Then, around 6:45 p.m., gunfire rang out near 127th Street and 78 Avenue. Neighbours said it initially sounded like fireworks going off right outside their homes.
“It was pretty scary,” one woman told CTV News. “Our neighbour’s kids were playing basketball outside, so when they heard it they were running to our backyard.”
Mounties found another 20-year-old man injured in the area. A vehicle at the scene had been shot several times, and there were dozens of shell casings on the ground.
Both victims were treated and released from hospital. The extent of their injuries hasn’t been disclosed.
Reports of shots fired next came in around 11 p.m. near 128th Street and 76 Avenue, not far from the previous scene. Everyone had fled by the time police arrived, but witnesses said they saw four dark-coloured vehicles speeding away.
Finally, Mounties were called to 80th Street and 132 Avenue around 2 p.m. Wednesday, where witnesses reported seeing someone firing from a white SUV that was chasing a small black car.
Officers found more shell casings at the scene.
The Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit and Serious Crime Unit believe at least three shootings are tied, and are canvassing the various scenes and speaking to witnesses.
The Gang Enforcement Team has also been called to determine whether there are any gang links.
Anyone with information on any of the shootings is asked to call the Surrey RCMP detachment.
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Maria Weisgarber
