Police are investigating a second "vehicle of interest" from a targeted shooting in Coquitlam last week linked to gang violence.
A man known to police was sent to hospital with non-life threatening injures on Friday (March 25) after RCMP responded to reports of shots fired in the Westwood Plateau neighbourhood.
Later that afternoon, Port Moody police (PMPD) attended a suspicious vehicle fire that's believed to be connected to the shooting.
A bystander was left with serious injuries "from an explosion of the vehicle" but remains in stable condition, according to PMPD spokesperson Const. Sam Zacharias.
No arrests have been made, as of this publication (March 28), as police remain in the evidence–gathering phase of the investigation.
Since the incident, a second vehicle has come to officers' attention: a newer model black Hyundai Sante Fe, license plate number FL3 35K.
Mounties are hoping the public can help by submitting dashcam footage "in determining the current location" of the SUV.
"This has the indications of being targeted and connected to the Lower Mainland Gang conflict," explained RCMP spokesperson S/Sgt. Paul Vadik in an earlier statement about the Coquitlam shooting.
"Police continue to gather evidence with the aim of identifying suspects."
Officers were called to the 1600-block of Chickadee Place to reports of a shooting shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Friday.
The victim was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries.
Moments later, PMPD officers responded to a vehicle fire in the 2200-block of Hope Street — not far from Port Moody Secondary — and is believed to be connected to the shooting.
Zacharias said firefighters quickly doused the flames and PMPD's major crimes unit is looking into the arson.
Police urge the public to call 911 immediately if they see the vehicle of interest.
Anyone with video of the Hyundai Santa Fe or more information about the shooting is urged to call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quote file-number 2022-7446.
Anyone with details about the vehicle fire in Port Moody, including dashcam or CCTV footage, is encouraged to call the PMPD at 604-461-3456 and quote file-number 2022-1501.
