THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken over the investigation into the death of a 56-year-old man who was shot in Maple Ridge on August 18.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on August 18, Maple Ridge RCMP responded to a report of shots fired in the 11400-block of 236 Street in Maple Ridge. Upon arrival, police located a 56-year-old man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound inside a vehicle. The victim was transported to

On August 31, the victim, who had remained in hospital since the shooting, died from his injuries.

IHIT has assumed conduct of the investigation and is working in close partnership with the Maple Ridge RCMP Serious Crime Unit, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services (IFIS), and the BC Coroners Service to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Investigators believe this was a targeted incident involving parties who were known to each other.

The victim’s name is not being released at this time as it is not needed to further the investigation.

“We are grateful to the Maple Ridge RCMP Serious Crime Unit, which has been conducting a thorough and robust investigation to date,” says Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT. “With the victim’s death, IHIT investigators are now in a good position to take over conduct of the homicide investigation. Investigators continue to work with the victim’s family and friends to gain an understanding of his activities, relationships and movements leading up to his death.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.