A large police presence was reported at two different ends of Maple Ridge on Tuesday evening.
Numerous RCMP cruisers and unmarked police vehicles, countless officers – some in uniform, others in tactical gear, and others in civvies augmented by bullet proof vests – plus a police helicopter, drone, police dogs, and even a mobile command centre converged on the Centennial Motel and mobile home park on the south side of Lougheed Highway, in the 21600-block, for what witnesses described as shots fired and ultimately a two-hour stand off.
Police said they responded to a shots fired call at about 7 p.m. and when they attended the scene they found a 32-year-old male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
The victim was taken to hospital in serious condition, but expected to survive, police said.
Officers cleared the area and surrounding properties and said they spoke to multiple people, as they tried to determine the exact circumstances that led to the shooting.
Maple Ridge RCMP believe this to be an isolated incident involving people known to each other.
Witnesses said a man barricaded himself inside a nearby mobile home.
The standoff came to what was described as a peaceful resolution at about 10 p.m., one witness said.
RCMP said no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. They also said the incident is not believed to be related to gang or extortion activity.
Anyone with more information is asked to contact Maple Ridge RCMP at: 604-463-6251 and quote file # 2026-13973.
Multiple other RCMP detachments and police agencies responded to assist – including Coquitlam, Langley, Surrey, and transit police, as the Maple Ridge RCMP had limited officers available due to another serious call.
In that case, earlier the same evening at about 6 p.m., Maple Ridge RCMP were deployed to what witnesses described as reports of an assault in the 12100-block of 287 Street.
Multiple units responded to the Iron Mountain neighbourhood, including the emergency response team, dog services, and multiple frontline and plainclothes units.
“This incident is part of an ongoing investigation being led by the Richmond RCMP,” said Maple Ridge RCMP’s media relations unit, directing further inquiries to the Richmond detachment.