A number of firearm-related incidents have taken place across Metro Vancouver over the past week. Here’s a roundup of these incidents from Burnaby, Surrey, and New Westminster that involve shootings, threats with firearms, or the discovery of firearms.

Surrey

Surrey RCMP received a call on September 11 from a property representative after the discovery of illicit drugs in a basement suite, presumed to be unoccupied, in the 14200 block of 87A Avenue in the Bear Creek area of Surrey.

When officers used a search warrant, they found a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a fully automatic carbine rifle, and ammunition, in addition to 358 grams of suspected fentanyl (approximately 3,580 doses) that was “packaged in a way that is consistent with street-level drug trafficking”, according to Surrey RCMP news release issued on September 17.

The investigation remains ongoing.

“This year in BC more than 1,000 people have lost their lives due to illicit drug toxicity,” Surrey RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Vanessa Munn stated in a news release. “358 grams of fentanyl may not sound like much, but when you consider that 2 milligrams is a potentially lethal dose, it really hits home how significant even small drug seizures really are. We encourage anyone who is suffering from addiction to seek help from their healthcare provider, and if you are using, never use alone.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers, to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477.

New Westminster

The New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) stated on September 17 that police received a call around 10:17 p.m. on September 13 from a man who reported that someone had pointed a gun at him.

As officers rushed to the area of 4^th Avenue and 6^th Street in New Westminster to search for suspects, police learned that the victim and suspect were known to each other and that a female may have also been involved.

Officers arrested a male and female who matched the description from the victim.

The Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service helped locate a firearm, and the NWPD Forensic Identification assisted in processing the firearm.

Trent Allan, a 36-year-old resident of New Westminster, has been charged with pointing a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and using a firearm. He remains in custody and will appear in New Westminster provincial court on October 6.

Natalia Sparks, a 39-year-old New Westminster resident, has been charged with pointing a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and careless use of a firearm. Sparks has been released under strict conditions. Sparks will also appear in court on October 6.

Any witnesses of this incident are asked to call the NWPD at 604-525-5411.

In a separate incident, NWPD officers responded around 7:45 a.m. on September 15 to a call from a woman who had reported that a man, whom she knew, had pointed a firearm at her and threatened to kill her.

The NWPD responded along with the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team and an NWPD negotiator.

“Due to an increased risk to public safety, a section of Cumberland Street was closed and a number of residents in nearby homes were advised to leave,” NWPD spokesperson Sgt. Sanjay Kumar stated in a news release.

Police attended a residence in the 700 block of Cumberland Street where they arrested a suspect and located two replica firearms.

Kevin Gerald Hunter, a 43-year-old resident of New Westminster, has been charged with assault with weapon, pointing a firearm, assault by choking, uttering threats, and use of an imitation firearm.

The suspect will remain in custody until he appears in New Westminster provincial court on September 27.

Burnaby

Around 4:30 p.m. on September 18, Burnaby RCMP received a report about possible gunfire in the area of Sprott Street and Norland Avenue in Burnaby, and a suspect reportedly fled the area in a dark-coloured SUV.

Officers arrived at the scene to find a 33-year-old male victim who had sustained what was believed to be a non-life-threatening gunshot wound—he was taken to hospital.  

Burnaby RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mike Kalanj stated in a news release that this shooting is not believed to be connected to the Lower Mainland gang conflict.

Anyone witnesses or has dashcam video near Sprott Street and Norland Avenue between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on September 18 is asked to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999.