One person is dead and a quiet cul-de-sac in Chilliwack was behind police tape Tuesday following a shooting Monday evening.
The incident happened at around 11 p.m. on Hazel Street, just off First Avenue.
Police had been called to a vehicle accident, but quickly determined the driver had died of injuries “inconsistent with a crash.”
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team was called in.
They’ve identified the victim as 39-year-old Chilliwack resident Stuart David Ellis. He is known to police.
Ronald Worden lives next door to where the vehicle came to a stop. He said he heard two shots and then a loud crash, “like a car hitting another car.” He then heard what sounded like a vehicle speeding away.
He raced outside to find neighbours around the red SUV and the driver covered in blood. One of the neighbours, believed by Worden to be either a former or off-duty police officer, was checking for a pulse, but found
none.
Across the driver’s lap, said Worden, was what appeared to be a firearm.
Police were on the scene within minutes, as well as ambulance and the fire department.
A resident said the victim lived in the area and that he had just met his wife walking in the nearby park the day before.
Residents of about 80 homes were cut off while the investigation continued Tuesday morning.
One of the neighbours said there was loud music coming from the parking lot of a nearby church prior to the incident. She said she wasn’t sure if it was related, but it was unusual.
IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Stephanie Ashton said investigators do not believe this was a random act, there is no reason to be concerned for public safety.
The investigation is still in the early stages, and police have yet to confirm anything. IHIT continues to work in partnership with Chilliwack RCMP, the Forensic Identification Section and ICARS to determine what occurred, she said.
Anyone with information related to this investigation can call the IHIT Tipsline at 1-877-551-4448.
