Jan. 31 update: Intense manhunt continues after transit police officer shot

Mounties searching for a suspect accused of shooting a transit police officer are advising residents in some parts of Surrey to lock their doors and turn on exterior lights.

At a news conference about four hours after the shooting, officers said they are still searching for a man they believe to be armed.

The massive search began after a Metro Vancouver Transit Police officer was shot on a SkyTrain station platform at about 4:20 p.m. Wednesday.

"The individual came to the immediate attention of the officers as they attended to the Scott Road SkyTrain Station. They attempted to engage him and were immediately met with gunfire," Asst. Comm. Dwayne McDonald said.

The suspect has been described as a man in his 20s with "dark skin," a dark stubble goatee and a moustache. He was last seen wearing a blue hoodie and white Nike shoes with a black "swoosh."

As they search for signs of the alleged shooter, they've set up two containment areas. The first is between King George Boulevard and 114 Avenue, and the second is between 125A and 124 streets.

The general public was asked to avoid those areas, and those who live nearby were asked to stay inside and lock their doors.

"Please turn on any exterior lights and call 911 if you see anything suspicious, and please do not attempt to apprehend the suspect if you see him or encounter him," McDonald said at a news conference Wednesday night.

"At this time, as the incident is unfolding, we are not able to share any of the details of our operational deployment."

Officers were able to provide an update on the shooting's victim, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Const. Josh Harms, a 27-year-old who has been with the force for three years, was brought to Royal Columbian Hospital where security guards were seen watching the doors.

A notice was posted explaining to other patients there would be heightened security due to a police incident.

Harms is still in hospital but is in good spirits, Sgt. Clint Hampton said Wednesday evening.

The Scott Road SkyTrain Station is closed. No new vehicles can enter the area, but officers are there to escort people into the parking lot and will assist them in getting their vehicles out.

Those who rely on the Expo Line to get around were warned to expect delays. A bus bridge was been set up between Columbia, Scott Road and Gateway stations to move rush-hour commuters through the affected area. Millennium and Canada lines are operating normally, TransLink said.

Police officers flooded the area in the moments after the shooting, and closed the airspace overhead. The RCMP's Air 1 was circling the area during the search.

Investigators could be seen pulling over passing vehicles, talking to drivers, opening doors and checking trunks.

Roadblocks were set up on residential streets, and King George Boulevard was partially closed as they searched for the suspect. One witness who lives in the area told CTV News he'd been told the area was on lockdown.

McDonald said officers are reviewing surveillance camera footage and speaking to witnesses. He estimated that there were at least 80 officers searching the area, some accompanied by police dogs.

A second police incident was reported in Langley around the time of the shooting, though it is not yet known whether the incidents are connected.

Mounties appeared to be focusing on a black SUV that appeared to be a Cadillac Escalade in the area of 198B Street and 44 Avenue. The SUV was loaded onto a tow truck Wednesday afternoon.