Early into the new year, Richmond is facing its first homicide investigation.
Police have not said it was a targeted attack, but did say they believe the incident was not unprovoked or random.
Police were called to a home at 8431 Steveston Highway - between No. 3 Road and Roseland Gate - at around 4:30 p.m. on Monday where they discovered a seriously injured man on the property. Paramedics were called in and tried to revive the man to no avail, according to Richmond RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Stephanie Ashton.
Immediately thereafter, the RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was
called to the scene.
IHIT has remained tight-lipped about the nature of the victim's injuries, as well as a motive and whether or not there are suspects.
"The injuries observed were consistent with the male having been the victim of a homicide," stated an IHIT press release.
IHIT spokesperson Cpl.
Dominic Duchesneau said Tuesday that police don't believe the incident was unprovoked or a random attack but noted it's too early to confirm.
"We don't think it's a random attack. Could it change tomorrow? Potentially," said Duchesneau.
The name of the victim has not been released and police are still trying to make a connection to the house.
The incident caused the closure of Steveston Highway for most of the night and westbound rush hour traffic was rerouted along Rosehill Drive.
Cheryl Kuchta, who lives directly behind the home under investigation, said she didn't see or hear anything on Monday, but the news of a suspected homicide in her neighbourhood is unsettling.
"It could be a scary thing if it was a gang murder or random," said Kuchta.
On Tuesday, police kept two lanes of Steveston Highway closed as white IHIT vans parked curb side. Prior to a tent being erected on the driveway, a CTV news helicopter captured video of tarps laid out on the ground.
IHIT is asking anyone with information to call the IHIT tipline at 1-877-551-4448 or, to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
