After a man was killed in a shooting outside a restaurant in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour in the weekend, another man has died in a shooting at a park in Coquitlam. 

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) stated in a news release issued today (April 20) that around 6:30 p.m. on April 19, Coquitlam RCMP responded to a shooting that took place at Town Centre Park at 1299 Pinetree Way in Coquitlam.

Upon arrival, officers found 20-year-old Bailey McKinney on the ground. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

IHIT has taken over the investigation and is working with Coquitlam RCMP, Integrated Forensic Identification Services, and the B.C. Coroners Service to gather evidence.

“We believe this was a case of an individual being targeted for murder and not the park itself,” IHIT Sgt. Frank Jang stated in a news release.

Sgt. Jang stated that they are now seeking to speak to with those who were present at the time but left when the shooting took place. 

“We are aware that there were several people in the immediate area when the shooting occurred. Many of them fled the scene, understandably, from the shock of having witnessed a shooting. However, if you were one of those people, we need you to come forward now.”   

Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-4448 or by email. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477. 

McKinney had been scheduled to appear in provincial court in Port Coquitlam today (April 20) to face numerous charges, including unlawful confinement or imprisonment, uttering threats, assault, assault with a weapon, possessing a firearm without a licence or registration, possession for the purpose of trafficking, and more.

This shooting follows several others took place in Coquitlam a few weeks ago.

Coquitlam RCMP responded to a shooting in the 300 block of Decaire Street around 9:20 p.m. on March 29. Officers located a male shooting victim, who was taken to hospital.

Then around 5:30 p.m. on March 31, Coquitlam RCMP responded to a report about two male individuals arguing and shots fired in the 600 block of North Road. Police located one male shooting victim who was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

At 9:30 p.m. on April 3, RCMP on patrol heard gunfire in the area of Good Neighbour Park at 1415 Foster Avenue. However, officers were unable to locate any victims or suspects.

A man was shot at 11 a.m. on April 4 in the area of Gatensbury Street and Howie Avenue in Coquitlam.