Richmond Mounties are searching for suspects in a pair of related drive-by shootings Monday night, in which the shooters are believed to have initially targeted the wrong home.
Police also say one of the shootings was initially misreported as firecrackers, leading to an unsecured crime scene for about 15 hours.
Cpl. Stephanie Ashton, spokesperson for Richmond RCMP, said the at-large suspects shot at a home in the 3600-block of Williams Road around 10:30 p.m. Monday. One hour later police believe the same suspects shot at another home on Bamfield Drive in the Cambie neighbourhood, believed to be the intended target.
"Based on our evidence it's believed the suspects had the wrong address on Williams," said Ashton.
In what Ashton describes as a "confusing" twist, the Bamfield shooting was accurately reported by neighbours as gunshots and investigated as such, however, the first incident on Williams was initially reported as firecrackers. As a result, police left the scene after not finding anyone using firecrackers.
The next day neighbours along Williams (between the West Dyke Trail and No. 1 Road) awoke to find bullet casings littering the sidewalk and road in front of the home. The witnesses then called police who then arrived on the scene around 2 p.m.
"It wasn't until the next day that someone called us and had seen shell casings on the road that we determined it was a shooting," said Ashton.
No one was hurt in both shootings, said Ashton.
On Tuesday afternoon the Richmond News spoke to one man who lives next door to the apparent mis-targeted home on Williams. While wanting to remain anonymous he said he heard what sounded like firecrackers at around 10:30 p.m. while watching a movie with his children. He said he stood up to look out the window but was pulled down by his quick-thinking son.
After calling the police he said officers attended his home. He said he told police he saw a van speed off west on Williams and that the officers got back in their car and sped away quickly.
Ashton could not confirm what was exactly reported to police.
"There's a little issue with the first call (Williams), which was reported as firecrackers. Police found no one with firecrackers and it was cleared," said Ashton
"There are aspects I can't divulge about the reports to police," added Ashton.
At least two bullet holes could be seen in the lobby window of the home, as officers scoured the taped-off driveway and property. Nearby, a neighbour's family van parked on the street was also hit with a bullet.
While the News was speaking to on-looking residents one resident notified police to point out bullet-like holes in a neighbour's driveway light fixture beyond the police tape. Officers then tagged the holes.
Residents said two realtors owned the home on Williams. They described the neighbourhood as quiet and child-friendly.
@WestcoastWood
gwood@richmond-news.com
