MAPLE RIDGE, BC — The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over the case of a 56-year-old man who was shot in Maple Ridge in mid-August and died from his injuries on Monday, marking the incident as the city’s latest homicide.
The victim had been in hospital in critical condition since the night of Aug. 18, when Maple Ridge RCMP responded to reports of shots fired in the 11400 block of 236 Street shortly after 10 p.m. Officers arrived to find the man inside a vehicle suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was rushed to hospital but never recovered.
On Aug. 31, the victim died from his injuries, prompting IHIT to assume conduct of the investigation. The homicide team is now working alongside the Maple Ridge RCMP Serious Crime Unit, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services and the B.C. Coroners Service to piece together what led to the shooting.
Investigators believe the attack was targeted and that the parties involved were known to each other. The victim’s name is not being released at this time, as police say it is not needed to advance the investigation.
“We are grateful to the Maple Ridge RCMP Serious Crime Unit, which has been conducting a thorough and robust investigation to date,” said 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 about the case is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
