New Westminster police are investigating a shooting early Friday morning (March 28) near a Royal Avenue apartment building at First Street.
Staff Sgt. Paul Milne said the department received a 911 call about several shots fired about 12:30 a.m. As a couple of officers were about to leave the Downtown police station to investigate a SUV pulled up. The two men in their 20s in the vehicle were suffering from non-life threatening injuries. Milne said at least one of them had a gunshot wound. Police said one man was from Maple Ridge and the other from Vancouver Island. Both were taken by ambulance to Royal Columbian Hospital.
Police closed off the intersection for a few hours before opening it to traffic. However, the parking lot behind 55 Royal Ave., and all of Granville Street, which is adjacent to Queen's Park, remained cordoned off Friday as forensic units worked.
The NWPD's major crime section is conducting the investigation. A police release said it is unknown if the shooting was targed or if there were any gang connections.
Resident Joanne Johnson told CTV News she and her boyfriend were watching television when they heard about six gunshots and then tires squealing.
"I haven't heard gunshots in this area, not in a long time," said Johnson.