One man was injured in a brazen shooting on a Maple Ridge street Sunday night.
Several gun shots rang out around 7:45 p.m. in the 22400 block of 121st Avenue in the district's downtown core.
A man, who lives nearby, ran out of his house after he heard the shots.
"A car squealed away and a big dude, 220 pounds... comes walking down the middle of the street, shotgun in his right hand and cocks the gun," said the man, who watched the chaos from 100 feet away.
The man apparently fired at the fleeing car, then went inside the Maple Court apartment complex through a side door. When he came back outside, the witness said he no longer had a gun.
"One of his buddies got shot, so they tried to hustle him into a car," said the witness, who added his children were frightened by the gunshots.
Police and paramedics arrived before the injured man could be driven away.
The street was quickly cordoned off by Ridge Meadows RCMP, whose detachment is located just a block away from the crime scene.
The injured man was rushed to hospital with a single gunshot wound to his leg.
Police remained on scene for several hours interviewing witnesses. A police dog team was called in and forensic investigators collected evidence overnight.
“The investigation is in its early stages. It appears that this shooting may be related to a dispute that occurred between two or more individuals who were in this area in the early evening. Ridge Meadows RCMP would like to speak to anyone that may have information about this investigation," said Cpl. Alanna Dunlop.
Police would not say if a gun has been found or what sparked the dispute.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251, or if you wish to remain anonymous call CRIME STOPPERS at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a TIP online at www.solvecrime.ca. Crime stoppers will pay a reward of up to $2000.00 if your information leads to an arrest and conviction.