4 people found dead inside Richmond, B.C., home were likely shot, homicide investigators say

A home in the 4500-block of Garden City Road in Richmond, B.C., is shown surrounded by police tape late Jan. 25. (Shane MacKichan – image credit)

The RCMP's homicide unit is investigating after four people were found dead at a Richmond, B.C., house on Tuesday.

Richmond RCMP said officers were called to the 4500-block of Garden City Road in the city south of Vancouver late Tuesday night.

They found four people dead inside the home, according to a statement.

Police say the victims were likely shot and killed on Monday around 7 p.m. PT.

Investigators said initial evidence showed it was “a targeted shooting,” but police do not believe the homicides are connected to Lower Mainland gang violence.

Officers also believe the victims knew each other.

The integrated homicide investigation team (IHIT) was subsequently called in.

Images from the scene show a house behind police tape and the road closed, with several police vehicles parked in front and behind the property.

Shane MacKichan

No further details have been released. Police say there does not appear to be any risk to the public.

“It is a traumatic incident the community is waking up to,” IHIT Sgt. David Lee said in a statement.

“Our investigators are scouring the area looking for information as this event unfolds. We hope to provide the community with answers soon.”

Neighbourhood resident Cornelius Kiptum lives a couple of doors down from the home where the dead were discovered and says the home has more than one suite in it.

Kiptum was standing outside his home with friends Tuesday night when police pulled up to the scene.

He says he was home Monday as well and heard nothing unusual but that another neighbour mentioned hearing a loud bang that night.

He said he has lived on the block for four years and never felt his safety was in danger.

“I have never experienced any trouble,” said Kiptum.

Jon Hernandez/CBC News

Neighbour Keane Fraser agreed that there had never been a real cause for concern in the area before.

He was on his way home Tuesday night when the sight of multiple first responder vehicles caught him off-guard.

“It's a little weird that it's happened two doors down. We've so far felt safe here,” said Fraser.

Lee told CBC the lag time between when the shots are suspected to have been fired and when police were called on Tuesday could be because the neighbourhood is quiet and people may not have had reason to be suspicious.

Now, police are hoping any residents who think they may have heard or seen something unusual flag it to police immediately.

“They are the eyes and the ears of the place,” said Lee.

Homicide investigators are looking for witnesses who were in the area of Garden City Road near Odlin and Leslie Road on Monday. Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious is asked to contact IHIT.

People who prefer to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477.