MISSION RCMP said on Saturday that investigators can confirm that the suspects in the December 6 shooting in the parking lot of the Real Canadian Superstore fled in a newer Jaguar SUV, and were not associated to a Dodge Durango, as some initial reports had suggested.
Around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, a 41-year-old man from Mission suffered serious injuries after being shot numerous times while in his vehicle. The man, who is known to police and is believed to have ties to the BC Gang Conflict, is now recovering in hospital.
A suspect vehicle fled the scene and was found burned in Surrey later that night. Mission RCMP are continuing to investigate the incident, however no one is in custody at this time.
Mission RCMP say that although no one else was physically injured, the incident was obviously frightening for other shoppers in the parking lot, many of whom were in the process of loading up groceries into their vehicles before heading home for the night. One such shopper, a young mother out shopping with her niece, had just finished putting her groceries into the back of her vehicle when the shots were fired nearby.
She and her niece quickly jumped into her vehicle and sped off to safety. As they drove off, the tailgate of her Dodge Durango remained open, and items including a box of baby diapers, some baby clothes and a poinsettia flew out into the parking lot. When Mission RCMP interviewed the woman and learned about her ordeal, they notified staff at the Real Canadian Superstore, who immediately offered to provide her with a gift card to reimburse her for the lost items.
Investigators say the suspects were not associated to the woman’s Dodge Durango, as some initial reports suggested.
“Witnessing this type of incident is not something anyone should ever have to experience,” said Cpl. Harrison Mohr with Mission RCMP. “In this case, not only was this young mother exposed to a traumatic event, but she then realized that in her haste to get out of there, she lost most of the groceries she had gone out to buy. We were happy to connect her with the staff at Superstore, so that they could help the woman get back her groceries. It will obviously do little to help with what she experienced that night, but we hope that it is a little token of goodwill to help during an otherwise distressing experience.”
Mission RCMP’s Victim Services unit has been engaged, and is available to help anyone who witnessed the shooting and is looking for some added support or referrals.
Anyone that saw a grey Jaguar SUV around the area of the Real Canadian Superstore on the night of Wednesday December 6, and any other witnesses whom have not yet spoken with police are asked to call Mission RCMP at 604-826-7161.
