Emotions overflow at Langley vigil for shooting victims

By Dean Recksiedler, Denise Wong, and Angela Bower

Posted July 27, 2022 6:35 am.

Last Updated July 28, 2022 12:27 pm.

Emotions were on edge at an impromptu vigil following a deadly shooting rampage in Langley that happened earlier this week.

Dozens of people gathered Tuesday evening at Innes Corners Plaza, not far from the Langley City bus loop, where one of the shootings took place. There were candles and flowers put out for the two people who were shot to death early Monday morning.

A former drug user who is now an outreach worker on Vancouver Island went to the vigil. Kelly Morris says violence against the unhoused isn’t isolated to Langley and there’s a desperate need for low-income housing and detox treatment beds.

Morris says she believed she would have died in a shooting at an encampment near Qualicum Beach in 2020 where three people were killed, had she not received a phone call warning her to stay out of the area. Three people were killed in that incident.

Four people were shot in Langley early Monday morning, two of whom died. Police have said the shootings involved “transient victims.”

Two others were hospitalized.

The suspect, Jordan David Goggin, was shot by police. The 28-year-old Surrey man died at the scene. Goggin was known to police for “non-criminal contacts,” but police have not identified a motive.

Most of the shootings happened before sunrise, but people across Metro Vancouver knew about it shortly before 6:30 a.m. when they were jolted awake by an emergency alert. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) and Independent Investigations Office of BC have been called in.

Tuesday evening’s vigil was intended to give people the opportunity to mourn the victims and rally around people experiencing homelessness. While the event started that way, things turned as a woman who recently lost her job confronted organizers who were speaking to the group. She accused them of playing to the cameras instead of focusing on those who are struggling.

“Why don’t you put the camera on them and learn their story?” she said, pointing off-camera.

A person then emerged from the crowd and shouted at the woman.

“Get out! My father was killed!” the man shouted. “Get out of here, you selfish m*********** … I lost my father!”

The incident was broken up by other members of the crowd, as well as police who were in attendance. The vigil ended shortly after that, with many in tears.

Meantime, police have released photos of the shooting suspect and his car, in the hopes information about Goggin will bring forward more information from the public.

IHIT is looking to speak with anyone who may have known Goggin, or know of his activities.

IHIT have released these images of Langley shooting suspect, 28-year-old Jordan Daniel Goggin, in hopes more witnesses come forward.

“Homicide investigators have determined that Goggin was wearing two different outfits during the time of the shooting and was driving a white Mazda 4-door sedan,” IHIT said.

Police described Goggin as 6’1″ and 150lbs, with light brown hair and a slight goatee. He was initially wearing a black t-shirt and board shorts and later changed into brown overalls and a camouflaged short-sleeve t-shirt.