One man is in hospital after taking multiple gunshots in what police are calling a targeted attack on Halloween night.
New Westminster police responded to a highrise in the 200 block of Ross Drive around 10: 15 p.m. Monday after a report of shots fired. On the scene, officers found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the driver's seat of a vehicle.
"He's still in critical condition. He was shot several times. Detectives are still out in the field," Sgt. Gary Weishaar said Tuesday morning. "The investigation is in its early stages however, the shooting would appear, at this time, to be targeted."
Weishaar said he could not confirm earlier reports that the victim had been shot in the face.
Weishaar said the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit will assist if it is confirmed to be gang-related, but for now, the New Westminster Police Service is leading the investigation.
"We've got some smart minds on this, and we're going to track this thing down," he said.
"They'll be doing the knock-ons, they'll be checking in the neighbourhoods, they'll be looking for forensic evidence that's inside the perimeter of the crime zone, and they'll be looking outside for forensic evidence. They'll be searching everything."
Weishaar said that, while disconcerting, New Westminster police do not anticipate the city will become a new battleground for organized crime gangs to settle scores.
"We're not really a centre for gang activities but gangs can happen anywhere, as we've seen - Kamloops, Kelowna, Langley, Surrey, Vancouver, Port Moody, etc. This is just one event," he said.
"Is there a concern? Yes, there's always a concern when it happens in your community. Is there a concern that this is the shape of things to come in New West? No, not at all. That would be a stretch. This is an event, fortunately, that we don't see a lot of."
