JUSTIN Michael Wareing of Maple Ridge has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Cashmere Ali in Maple Ridge, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced on Monday.

Wareing is known to police and is believed to be a significant concern to public safety in the Maple Ridge area.

On July 15 at 8:40 a.m., Ridge Meadows RCMP responded to a report of a woman and a man suffering from gunshot wounds at a residence in the 22600-block of 119 Avenue in Maple Ridge. Officers on scene provided emergency first aid to the woman, identified as Ali, who later succumbed to her injuries in hospital. The man suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

IHIT took conduct of the investigation and in partnership with Ridge Meadows RCMP, the BC Integrated Forensic Identification Section (IFIS), the Integrated Emergency Response Team (IERT), the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) and BC Coroners Service, investigators identified the shooter as Wareing.

On July 16, Wareing was arrested without incident at a residence in Maple Ridge. On July 17, after consultation with the BC Prosecution Service, a charge of second-degree murder relating to the homicide of Ali, as well as a charge of attempt murder relating to the man who was shot, were laid.

“Maple Ridge is safer today with Mr. Wareing in custody,” said IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti. “The investigation still remains active as we continue to build a complete image of what led to this event. We continue to urge those with information or those who had interactions with Mr. Wareing or Ms. Ali to come forward.”

No further details will be released as the matter is now before the court, police said.

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.