The New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) says it shut down Columbia Street Friday morning after an officer found a man on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds.
Police say the officer was on patrol near the SkyBridge around 3 a.m., when they discovered the man in apparent distress.
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First responders reportedly provided aid until the man could be taken to the hospital.
BC Emergency Health Services says paramedics transported one patient in critical condition.
Columbia Street was closed in both directions for several hours between 4th Street and McBride Boulevard until police reopened the road around 10:30 a.m.
Images from the scene show police had barricaded the immediate area and set up a tent as they worked.
“Our Major Crime investigators will be gathering evidence to determine the motive behind this incident and who committed it,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver in an update shortly before noon.
There has not been an update on the victim’s condition.
Later in the afternoon, Sgt. Leaver told the media that police are searching a second scene in New Westminster for evidence related to this incident.
Officers taped up an area around Tipperary Park, about a five-minute drive away from where the shooting victim was found.
Sgt. Leaver says it is not yet clear, but both scenes seem to be connected to the same shooting.
“We’re in the early stages. We’re working to determine exactly what those two locations mean,” Sgt. Leaver said.
However, he did not provide any information about a potential suspect or a possible motive.
The NWPD is asking any witnesses or those with dashcam video to contact the unit at (604) 529-2430 or via email at majorcrimetips@nwpolice.org.
