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Update: IHIT releases photo of suspect in Richmond double-murder

Derrek Chen, 46, has been identified as the Nov. 30 murder victim

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has released a photo of the suspect in the Nov. 30 murder of a father and 13-year-old son in Richmond.

IHIT believes the suspect left the house and fled on foot into London Sports Fields behind the house on Goldsmith Drive.

The homicide team is appealing to anyone who might have been in the park between 8:30 and 9 p.m. to contact them.

"We are asking to speak to absolutely everyone who was in that park," Pierotti said. "There's a family right now that's going through the unimaginable, that has suffered such a loss, so if you know someone who may have been in this park, we ask you, please, contact them and check with them."

As there are several entry points to the sports field and park, IHIT is also asking people who live or were parked on Housman Street, Spender Drive, Reynolds Drive or Gainsborough Drive to check if they have dash cam footage that might have captured the suspect after 8:40 p.m. fleeing the crime scene.

Pierotti described the suspect as wearing a dark coat, a white hat, a full-face balaclava-style mask and light blue jeans. It's not clear if it was a man or a woman.

IHIT also released the name of the 46-year-old victim, Derrek Chen, but they are withholding the name of his 13-year-old son who was also killed.

Pierotti said a motive hasn't been identified for the murder and police want to speak to anyone who knew Chen or his son to gain "insight as to who would want to hurt these people."

In their initial release, Richmond RCMP said the double murder seemed "targeted," and Pierotti clarified on Friday it appears the suspect went to the house with the intention of hurting someone. Police don't believe it was a random incident.

Pierotti said the family of the victims is going through a "heart-breaking" situation, but it's also affecting the wider community.

"This is certainly a tragedy that is affecting an entire community," Pierotti said. He added anyone needing support can reach out to the Richmond RCMP to get in touch with victims services.

A GoFundMe was organized for the Chen family, and it has so far raised more than $58,000 as of Friday afternoon. 

Anyone with information regarding this investigation can call the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at [email protected]

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