13-year-old boy and father targeted in Richmond double homicide, investigators say

Homicide investigators say the two people found dead inside a Richmond home Thursday night were father and son, and evidence gathered so far suggests they were targeted.

The Lower Mainland's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team did not share the names or images of the deceased in an update on the case Saturday, but said the victims were a 46-year-old man and his 13-year-old son.

The bodies were discovered at a residence in the 6200 block of Goldsmith Drive around 10:30 p.m. Thursday after Richmond RCMP officers received a call about a "suspicious circumstance."

IHIT took over the investigation and confirmed in their update that the victims resided in the home where they were found.

Investigators are still working to determine a motive for the slaying, police said.

"We believe that someone attended that residence with the intention of committing a murder," said IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Timothy Pierotti. "Beyond that, until we determine a motive, until we determine a suspect, I can't comment on exactly what the intent was."

Now, IHIT is appealing to the public for information that could help with the investigation, with a particular focus on a nearby park and sports fields.

A path next to the house where the father and son were killed leads directly to the park, which is surrounded by a number of houses that overlook it.

Investigators want to hear from anyone who believes they saw something suspicious in the area of Rocky View Playground and the adjoining footpaths to contact them.

"My experience is that if someone commits a murder and they're going to flee on foot, they're going to go to a place like that," Pierotti said. "They're going to try to cut through a park or something like that to get to the other side where they may have a vehicle."

He also appealed for dashcam or home security video from the area during the same time period.

Information can be shared by calling 877-551-4448 or emailing [e-mail].