THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced on Monday that one of the deceased in Friday night’s incident in Richmond was a victim of homicide and that the two deaths are not related to the Lower Mainland Gang Conflict.
That implies that this was a murder-suicide case.
IHIT said evidence gathered so far indicates that this was an isolated incident and that there is no risk to the public.
On June 25, shortly after 8:30 p.m., Richmond RCMP responded to a 911 call of shots fired at a residence near Barnard Drive and Westminster Highway. Frontline officers arrived and found two deceased persons. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took conduct of the file.
Media reported on Friday night that two bodies were covered with tarps on a road in a residential area at Barnard Drive and Westminster Highway. One witness said they heard about five shots being fired. There were about a dozen emergency vehicles on scene.
IHIT is continuing to work with its partners at the Richmond RCMP, Integrated Forensic Identification Section, and the BC Coroners Service in efforts to confirm the identity of all the deceased.
“We are not looking for any outstanding suspects,” said IHIT Sgt. David Lee. “We will be reaching out to family and friends of the persons involved, seeking information, and offering support.”
If there is anyone who has information or was in the area of Barnard Drive and Westminster in the hours leading up to the homicide, investigators would like to encourage them to come forward.
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.