One dead after shooting at Vancouver’s University Golf Club
Posted October 17, 2022 11:35 am.
Last Updated October 17, 2022 10:03 pm.
A 38-year-old man is dead and homicide investigators have been called to Vancouver after a shooting Monday morning.
According to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, the RCMP was called to the University Golf Club — located on the UBC Endowment Lands — just before 10 a.m. for reports of shots fired.
“Members attended and located one male suffering from shotgun wounds. Members … provided first aid but unfortunately he succumbed to his injuries,” explained IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti.
Several RCMP vehicles are here at the University Golf Club. Homicide investigators were called to the scene this morning. @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/yCaHALL15B
— Crystal Laderas (@CrisLaderas) October 17, 2022
IHIT has not released the victim’s identity at this time. However, investigators say there is “nothing to indicate risk to the public,” according to a statement issued by UBC.
Investigators would not say if the incident was gang-related.
“It’s still early in the investigation and we’re doing everything we can to learn as much as we possibly can about the victim, as well as anyone else who may be involved,” Pierotti said.
“Thankfully, no one else was injured. We know that there were people around the area that may have been witness to this but thankfully no one else was injured.”
Police tape was seen surrounding a parking lot Monday, with images from the scene showing what appeared to be a body under a tarp, as well as a luxury vehicle nearby.
Some people who work at the golf club told CityNews they were asked to stay away.
Vancouver car fire
Meanwhile, Vancouver police reported a car fire in the area of West 21st Avenue and Crown Street shortly after when police were called to the shooting.
The link, if any, to the homicide investigation is not yet clear at this time, though it has not been uncommon for a burned-out vehicle to be found after a homicide on the Lower Mainland.
“We’re aware of that. We’re working to determine if it has any connection to our file. At this time, there is nothing to say that it is directly linked to our investigation,” explained Pierotti.
“What I can say is any time there is a vehicle fire that’s within close proximity to a homicide, IHIT’s going to be looking into it to see if it is linked,” he continued, adding IHIT will work with the VPD’s investigators to determine if these two cases are related.
At 10 a.m., #VPD responded to reports of a car fire near W 21st Avenue and Crown Street. Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services extinguished the fire and there are no reports of injuries. VPD’s Arson Unit will work to determine if the fire is related to any other events. pic.twitter.com/WqYMQbj1bs
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) October 17, 2022
The vehicle fire was extinguished Monday morning, with no injuries reported, the VPD said.
“VPD’s Arson Unit will work to determine if the fire is related to any other events,” the force added.
The car in the back alley of W.20th and Crown street. pic.twitter.com/KtzKt3BqM2
— Louis (@loui_xiii) October 17, 2022
Video from that scene showed what appears to be a silver or light-coloured SUV engulfed in flames in the alleyway between West 20th and 21st streets. Onlookers could be seen watching the vehicle on fire, as the left-hand side door was open.
Richmond crash
Later in the morning, there was also a vehicle that was involved in a crash in Richmond, where several VPD cruisers were spotted alongside the RCMP.
It happened around 10:45 a.m. along Highway 91. In a statement to CityNews, the Richmond RCMP confirms the incident is linked to the Vancouver car fire investigation.
“The three-vehicle collision involved a police vehicle from the BC Highway Patrol, a commercial vehicle, and a vehicle believed to have been associated to a suspicious fire that occurred in Vancouver earlier this morning,” the statement reads.
“The driver of the commercial vehicle was transported to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Three occupants from the third vehicle involved were taken into custody, and are being held for investigation. There are no other reports of injuries,” the RCMP added, noting the circumstances leading up to the collision are still being investigated.
While the crash may be related to the car fire, IHIT says it is not making any assumptions at this time.
“I’m not sure if there was a connection to our incident. I believe that may have been connected to the Vancouver burned vehicle, but in terms of any connection to our homicide investigation, we have nothing to link the two,” Pierotti said.
“What I can say is we have no evidence to say that they are related,” he added, referring to the Richmond crash and the homicide.
With many details unclear, homicide investigators are looking to speak with anyone who may have information about what happened.
“We’re asking that anyone who was in the area of the University Golf Club between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. [Monday] morning, or anyone who was driving in the area with dash cam video, to please contact the IHIT investigation line so we can speak to you regarding that information,” Pierotti said.
You can contact IHIT by calling 1.877.551.4448 or emailing ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. You can also make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS.
-With files from Crystal Laderas
