Police arrested a 44-year-old Coquitlam man after a series of late-night incidents in Burnaby that included gunfire, a car crash, and a rooftop standoff.
The events began shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Friday when officers responded to a disturbance near Inman Avenue and Price Street in South Burnaby. Police reported finding a white sedan in the area that was believed to be linked to the call. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver sped away. For public safety reasons, police did not give chase.
At about 10:45 p.m., new reports came in of shots fired near Wilma Street and Salisbury Avenue. Minutes later, calls were received about a three-vehicle collision at Edmonds Street and Griffiths Drive. At the crash site, police located a white sedan matching the description of the earlier vehicle. The driver, however, was not present.
Officers searched the neighborhood and around 11:30 p.m. they spotted a man connected to the white sedan on the roof of a residential building near Wilma Street and Salisbury Avenue. Police secured the area, set up containment, and temporarily evacuated residents for safety.
The standoff lasted for several hours. Around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, officers arrested the man without further incident. Authorities confirmed the suspect is a 44-year-old Coquitlam resident.
Police are continuing their investigation to understand the chain of events leading to the arrest. They are also working to determine if anyone else was involved in the shooting or the crash. No serious injuries have been reported in relation to the gunfire or the collision.
Residents who were evacuated during the police operation were later allowed to return to their homes once the area was declared safe. Officers are appealing to the public for assistance and are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incidents to come forward. They are also requesting dashcam footage from drivers who may have been in the areas of Inman Avenue, Price Street, Wilma Street, Salisbury Avenue, or Edmonds Street on Friday night.
The late-night events have caused concern among local residents, many of whom were startled by the sound of gunfire and the heavy police presence. Officers have reassured the public that the suspect is now in custody and that the risk to the community has been reduced.
Investigators have not yet released the name of the suspect and have not confirmed whether the shooting was targeted or random. They say more details will be shared as evidence is reviewed. For now, the suspect remains in custody while officers continue to collect witness statements, surveillance footage, and forensic evidence.
The Burnaby shooting arrest highlights the dangers of violence and reckless driving in residential neighborhoods. While no one was seriously harmed, police stressed that community cooperation will be essential in completing a thorough investigation.
