New Westminster police search for daytime shooting suspect
Posted April 20, 2023 9:30 am.
Last Updated April 20, 2023 12:31 pm.
Police in New Westminster are releasing more details about Tuesday’s shooting that left one man with injuries, in hopes to further their investigation into the incident.
The New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) says while the shooting was initially reported to have taken place around noon on Carnarvon Street near Lorne Street, it has learned the shooting actually occurred on Alexander Street.
“Officers have determined that one suspect approached a group of people, pointed a firearm in their direction, and repeatedly fired at the group before fleeing the area,” police said in a statement Thursday.
Police investigate a shooting in New Westminster, B.C. on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (CityNews Image)
Two suspects were arrested at Royal Columbian Hospital a short time later, police said Tuesday, with callers telling CityNews around 10 police vehicles were in the hospital’s parking lot around that time.
“I have heard from residents that incidents like this cause people to feel like they can’t go downtown and can’t engage in the things they want and should be able to do,” said Chief Const. Dave Jansen, “This incident is completely unacceptable in our community. In light of this and other recent events in the Downtown core, I am working with my leadership team to develop an immediate plan of action.”
The NWPD is urging anyone who lives or works on Alexander Street who finds physical evidence of the shooting to contact the department immediately.
Staff Sgt. Jeff Scott says he understands the community is worried about public safety in the wake of the shooting.
“The violence right now is deeply concerning for us. our senior leadership team, our chief constable, they’re working to come up with immediate action plans so that we resolve this problem,” Scott told CityNews.
However, he notes that gun-related crime in the city is pretty rare.
“But what we are seeing right now and what we’re hearing from the public is people don’t feel safe in the downtown area,” he added. “It’s absolutely concerning that somebody would shoot in broad daylight — it’s 12 o’clock noon, in a downtown core, there’s people everywhere, and that this person would approach a group of people and just essentially opened fire on them.”
Police have not confirmed whether they believe the shooting was targeted or random.
The Major Crime Unit can be reached by calling 604-529-2430 or emailing mcucrimetips@nwpolice.org.
