A couple in their 60s and a dog were found dead in a home with the attached garage and two vehicles ablaze Wednesday night in Maple Ridge, according to authorities. Police were first called for reports of a “neighbourhood dispute” on 239 Street near 118 Avenue around 6:30 p.m., the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said in a statement. Four hours later, Mounties were called to the same location for reports of a vehicle fire, a break-and-enter, and shots fired. “Upon attendance, Ridge Meadows RCMP officers found two vehicles and the attached garage on fire and two people and one dog deceased inside the residence,” IHIT’s statement continued. “The suspect was believed to be armed with a weapon inside a neighbouring home and police set up containment. With the assistance of the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, entry was eventually made into the home where another individual was located deceased.” Homicide investigators say there is no risk to the public and there are no outstanding suspects. “Based on initial investigative steps, investigators believe this to be a targeted and isolated incident, as a result of a dispute between neighbours who were known to each other,” an IHIT spokesperson said, in the statement. A man named Rick, who lives next door to the victims, says the couple were parents and grandparents. “They’ve been great neighbours, great people,” he said. Rick said he was woken up by the commotion late Wednesday night. “I looked out the window and flames were up the side of the house, up to the roof. The car was on fire,” he said.“Then I said, ‘Holy crap, shut it down, let’s get out of here.’” The victims also had an elderly tenant living in the basement. Another neighbour, Allen Deacon-Carriere, said he rushed to help her after seeing her trying to make it through the driveway as the vehicle burned. “An explosion happened right after the gunfire, and then a fire,” he said.“I kind of just blacked out and helped everyone else around me.” An earlier statement from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. indicated the lone suspect died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury. The police watchdog will be conducting a parallel investigation to determined whether police action or inaction contributed to any of the deaths, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing. “This was a tragic incident that has had a significant impact on the families, community and first responders,” IHIT’s statement said, urging anyone impacted to contact Victim Services through their local police department. Anyone with information is being urged to call IHIT at 1-877-551-4448.
