Two more people were shot in Surrey Tuesday night, hours after Mayor Linda Hepner spoke out against the epidemic of gun violence in the city.
One of the victims was a teenager, who was found wounded after Mounties responded to reports of gunfire near 77th Avenue and 155th Street around 11 p.m.
The other victim appears to have run away from the scene, leaving a trail of blood down the street, through a construction site and onto a golf course.
He eventually made his own way to Vancouver General Hospital. Both victims’ injuries were non-life threatening.
The incident marked the fourth shooting in as many days in Surrey, and the 32nd recorded in the city so far this year – averaging to roughly one every three days.
Hepner denounced the people responsible at a press conference Tuesday.
“Gunplay in a city simply cannot happen, and I’m furious,” she said.
Citizens have been demanding more be done to combat the problem. One potential measure, according to author and anti-gang speaker Ranj Dhaliwal, is CCTV cameras.
“That way, if there’s a shooting at least the police, they’ve got something to go on,” Dhaliwal said. “Anything to deter these guys driving around shooting each other up.”
Abbotsford police installed security cameras after seeing a rash of shootings in the city, and Mounties in Surrey said they’re not ruling out the idea.
“We have accessed the city traffic cameras, which have been beneficial in some of our investigations historically,” Sgt. Alanna Dunlop said.
Last week, investigators attributed the spike in recent violence to a drug-related conflict between two groups, but said only five arrests had been made in connection to the crime spree.
Mounties said the drug trade in the city is constantly changing, but the problem remains the same: Young people lured into gangs and a criminal lifestyle with illusions of money and power.
No arrests have been made in connection with Tuesday’s shooting, which investigators believe was targeted. Police said they’re looking for a dark-coloured SUV that was seen fleeing the area around 11:10 p.m.
Anyone with information can contact the Surrey RCMP detachment at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Nafeesa Karim
Police have confirmed the victim in Surrey's latest shooting is a minor -- so under 18-years-old. He is in stable condition.
— Sheila Scott (@Sheila_Scott) April 6, 2016
Spoke with neighbour near shooting scene who says enough is enough. Wants more accountability on the violence in #SurreyBC
— Sheila Scott (@Sheila_Scott) April 6, 2016
Neighbours heard 3 or 4 Shots around 11 pm. Area flooded with police. Teen that was shot is in stable condition. pic.twitter.com/1hSEbWo5Mh
— Sheila Scott (@Sheila_Scott) April 6, 2016