Two burned cars were seen Thursday morning at the site where the deaths happened Wednesday night, near 118A Avenue and 239th Street in Maple Ridge. CBC
A peaceful neighbourhood in Maple Ridge turned into a crime scene Wednesday night. A couple in their 60s and their dog were found dead after a violent dispute. Flames lit up the sky as their home and vehicles burned.
Police Respond to Two Calls
Police first arrived at 239 Street near 118 Avenue around 6:30 p.m. They were responding to a call about a disagreement between neighbours. Four hours later, they got another call. This time it was about a car on fire, a break-in, and gunshots.
Fire and Deaths Discovered
When police returned, they found two cars and a garage in flames. Inside the home, they found the bodies of two people and a dog. Investigators believe the couple were targeted.
Suspect Found Dead
Police say the suspect had gone into a nearby house. Officers surrounded the home. A special response team went in and found another person dead. Authorities believe the suspect took his own life. No one else is believed to be involved.
Victims Were Known and Loved
Neighbours described the victims as kind people. A man named Rick, who lived next door, said they were parents and grandparents. “They’ve been great neighbours, great people,” he said.
Rick said the fire woke him up. “Flames were up the side of the house, up to the roof. The car was on fire,” he recalled. “Then I said, ‘Holy crap, shut it down, let’s get out of here.’”
Brave Neighbours Acted Fast
Another neighbour, Allen Deacon-Carriere, saw the tenant in the basement trying to escape. She was elderly and struggling to get through the driveway. “An explosion happened right after the gunfire, and then a fire,” Allen said. “I kind of just blacked out and helped everyone else around me.”
Investigation Underway
The suspect’s death appeared to be self-inflicted, according to early reports. An independent police watchdog will now look into whether police actions affected the outcome. Officials confirmed that no suspects remain at large.
They also said the violence was not random. The people involved knew each other. Police believe it was a targeted attack caused by a neighbour dispute.
Support for Those Affected
“This was a tragic incident that has had a significant impact on the families, community and first responders,” investigators said. They urged anyone affected to reach out to Victim Services for help.
