VANCOUVER -- Burnaby RCMP are investigating two shootings that took place close together early Monday morning.
Police were called to North Road near Cottonwood Avenue at about 12:30 a.m. after witnesses reported hearing multiple rounds of gunfire coming from a white coupe vehicle.
Police say a 21-year-old Vancouver man was found, "suffering from several gunshot wounds."
He was taken to hospital and treated for serious injuries. Police say the victim isn't co-operating with the investigation.
At the scene, investigators laid down more than a dozen cones on the roadway and on a nearby lawn to mark evidence. Officers were seen interviewing people inside the PMC Hookah Lounge, which was open at the time.
RCMP were then called to another shooting at Canada Way and Smith Avenue a couple hours later.
Officers say they found a white crossover-type vehicle fleeing the area at about 2:30 a.m. Mounties engaged in a brief chase of the vehicle, but as speeds reached 160 km/h, they stopped the pursuit in the fear it would impact public safety.
Not long after, a 25-year-old man from Surrey arrived at a local hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. He is also not co-operating with police.
Smith Avenue was closed for several hours as officers held the scene, and the front yard of a neighbouring townhouse was also behind police tape. Orange cones covered spatters of blood and other evidence outside of a mixed use building with apartments on top and businesses down below.
Police say they are still investigating whether the two incidents are related. Investigators do believe the shootings are connected to ongoing gang conflict in the Lower Mainland and ask witnesses to come forward.
Reports can be made to Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999. Tips can also be left anonymously with Crime Stoppers.
