People in Coquitlam are investigating a shooting that sent two people to hospital on Saturday evening.
The incident happened shortly before 7:45 p.m. at 565 Clarke Rd., Coquitlam RCMP said in a press release. The area is a short walk from Burquitlam SkyTrain Station.
People in the area told CTV News they heard between five and 10 shots.
Several employees of the nearby cafeteria were storing the patio furniture when the shot exploded.
“Basically we just heard six shots. I think five or six. We didn’t really know what it was, so we grabbed it all and ran inside and locked the doors and it looked like I was expecting it to be a counterproductive car or something. That’s because you don’t really expect to hear that kind of thing, ”said Maraya Franca.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man and a woman with gunshot wounds. The victims were taken to hospital for treatment and their injuries are not life-threatening, according to police.
Images of the scene showed a large police presence Saturday night, with investigators focusing on a tanned Honda sedan in the parking lot between Pizza Factory and Royal Bank of Canada.
“I heard a quick succession of eight to ten shots,” Maple Lee told CTV News.
“A little disturbing, obviously, because we’re not sure if the person is still here or maybe that person has taken off at the moment. So security, of course, is a constant concern.”
The gunman had already fled the scene when officers arrived. No suspects in the shooting have been identified or located, police said
Franca said that if the store had closed earlier, it would have been even closer to the shooting.
“It’s terrifying to think that he could literally have been walking to catch the train home,” he explained. “We’re glad we’re all fine.”
The RCMP asks anyone with information, photos, or videos related to the incident to contact investigators at 604-945-1550.