THE BC RCMP has notified the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) of an incident in Maple Ridge where three people have died.

On Wednesday, July 23 at approximately 6:40 p.m., police responded to a report of a neighbourhood dispute in the 11800-block of 239 Street in Maple Ridge.

Police officers from the Ridge Meadows RCMP attended and spoke with several individuals. No arrests were made.

At approximately, 10:51 p.m., the Maple Ridge Fire Department reported to police a vehicle fire and break-and-enter in progress in the 11800-block of 239 Street in Maple Ridge. Subsequent callers reported that shots had been fired at that location.

Police officers from the Ridge Meadows RCMP attended to find two vehicles and the attached garage on fire, and two people deceased inside the residence. The suspect was believed to be armed with a weapon inside a neighbouring home and police set up containment.

With the assistance of the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, entry was eventually made into the home where another individual was reportedly located deceased.

All related fires were extinguished by the Maple Ridge Fire Department.

The IIO BC was notified and are attending the scene to investigate police actions in this incident. The area has been cordoned off to support the investigation.

The IIO is requesting that any witnesses that have not already provided a statement, or who have video footage of the incident, to contact it at its Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has conduct of the concurrent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of two people found inside the first residence.

IHIT said it continues to work in close partnership with the Ridge Meadows RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) and the BC Coroners Service to advance the investigation.

Based on initial investigative steps, investigators believe this to be a targeted and isolated incident, as a result of a dispute between neighbours who were known to each other. There are no outstanding suspects.

The two people found deceased in the first residence were identified as a man and woman in their 60s.

“IHIT would like to extend our thoughts to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased,” said Cpl. Sukhi Dhesi of IHIT. “This was a tragic incident that has had a significant impact on the families, community and first responders.”

Anyone seeking support is encouraged to reach out to their local Victim Services. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or via email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.