'Loud bangs' heard in West Point Grey neighbourhood the night before double homicide discovered in Vancouver
Police are gathering evidence in connection with a double homicide in Vancouver's West Point Grey neighbourhood over the weekend.
Two women were found shot to death in a vehicle on Sunday morning in what’s believed to be a targeted killing, and one of the victims has a connection to the area.
Police have identified the victims as 50-year-old Shu-Min Wu and 39-year-old Ying Ying Sun. Shu-Min Wu is listed as the sole owner of a home at the corner of West 8th Avenue and Discovery Street. The property is right next to where a local resident discovered the victims inside a parked BMW SUV while out for a morning walk on Sunday.
Neighbour John Fournier said he heard loud noises in the neighbourhood at about 10:30 the night before the victims were discovered.
“Loud bangs, like a particularly loud piece of fireworks,” he said. “At least two, and no more than four, I would say.”
Another neighbour told CTV News they also heard what sounded like firecrackers that same night, and her son thought he heard gunshots.
On Sunday, the white SUV could be seen behind police tape, with a blue tarp covering the front windshield. Yellow evidence markers were visible on the ground.
Vancouver Police Sgt. Steve Addison said the nearby property also attracted police attention on Sunday.
“Members of the (Vancouver Police Department's) emergency response team did briefly come to the area,” he said. “There was some concern that there could have been possibly additional victims.”
The property was searched, but no one else was found.
It’s unclear how the two women may have been connected at this point, and Addison said it’s too early to discuss a possible motive.
“All indications are that is was targeted,” he said. “We’re not at the point now where we can disclose additional information about who they were, or what activity they were involved in.”
Fournier said he often saw the white SUV in the area.
“That’s where they normally park,” he said, and added he didn’t know the names of those he associated with the vehicle. “We occasionally would have a conversation about a barking dog.”
"Beware of dog" signs could be seen posted around the home, which also had a number of surveillance cameras. Broken glass littered the side of the street where the SUV had been parked.
The home faces a park with sweeping mountain and city views, along with sport courts and a playground.
Addison said the crime is “incredibly unnerving” for people who live in the area.
“We understand that,” he said. ‘We’re trying hard to understand more about what happened and find the people responsible.”
Addison said support through victim services is being offered to the resident who found the two women.
Anyone with information, or video evidence from a dash-cam or home surveillance camera, is asked to contact police at 604-717-2500.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.