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Murder in Port Coquitlam in same neighbourhood as two recent shootings

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is investigating what it describes as a targeted shooting death in Port Coquitlam over the weekend, the Tri-Cities' first murder of 2016.
Rindall Avenue murder
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is investigating after a man was murdered in Port Coquitlam Friday night.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is investigating what it describes as a targeted shooting death in Port Coquitlam over the weekend, the Tri-Cities' first murder of 2016.

Police were called to the 2100-block of Rindall Avenue, between McLean and Kingsway avenues, shortly after 9 p.m. last Friday, after receiving reports of shots fired.

A man was found on the road suffering from gunshot wounds and taken to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, where he died a short time later. By Saturday evening IHIT had identified the man but are not releasing his name.

"IHIT investigators are working closely with Coquitlam RCMP and Lower Mainland support units to determine what occurred on Rindall Avenue," IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Stephanie Ashton said in a press release. "It appears from the evidence found at the scene, and information obtained to this point, that this was targeted and that at this point there is nothing to indicate the public is at risk as a result of this incident."

The murder comes after a string of shootings late last year within the same neighbourhood.

Shots rang out from a home in the 2400-block of Kelly Avenue just before 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2015; neighbours pointed out the house to police officers, who later questioned the nearly dozen "unco-operative" occupants of the home, which is known to police.

A month later, Coquitlam RCMP were called to an apartment building in the 2300-block of Wilson Avenue, near Bury Avenue, again for reports of shots fired at about 10:30 p.m. A man was injured in the Dec. 18 shooting and Major Crimes investigators said it was a targeted incident.

Despite the cluster of crimes, local police say residents are safe.

"Understandably, two incidents in a matter of a few weeks may cause concern for the public and those who live in the area," Const. Jamie Phillipson wrote in an email to The Tri-City News. "However, Port Coquitlam is a safe community and these types of violent crimes are actually extremely rare."

Anyone with information regarding the Rindall Avenue murder investigation is asked to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-4448 or ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.

spayne@tricitynews.com
@spayneTC