JUST before 10:20 p.m. on Monday, July 29, Richmond RCMP received numerous calls to the 6500-block of No. 3 Road, Richmond, for reports of possible shots fired. When frontline officers arrived they found a 35-year-old man suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds. He was transported by BC Emergency Health Services to a local area hospital for treatment of what are believed to be serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses at the scene said that shots were fired by someone inside a two-door, silver sedan that drove through the parking lot of Richmond Centre mall. The driver then fled the scene.

CBC News reported that a witness who was sitting inside a Tim Hortons near the shooting scene told them he heard at least three gunshots in total.

CTV reported that on Monday night what appeared to be bullet holes could be seen in the wall of the restaurant, but they were filled and painted over by 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

CTV also said that Vancouver Coastal Health confirmed the emergency department at Vancouver General Hospital was locked down around 11 p.m. Monday as police escorted paramedics and a shooting victim into the facility.

Just after 11:20 p.m., Vancouver Police officers were called to the 2100-block of Newport Avenue in Vancouver for a report of a vehicle fire, matching the description provided by witnesses at the scene in Richmond.
The Richmond Serious Crime Unit, which is leading the investigation, is working closely with the Vancouver Police Department to determine possible links.

“We understand this is unsettling for the entire community and want to assure our residents that at this time, our investigators have reason to believe that the victim, who is known to us, was targeted,” said Richmond RCMP Inspector Keith Bramhill. “We are asking anyone who may have been a witness or may have been driving in the area and have dash-cam video to please call us.”