Surrey man murdered defending home against intruder

Police say 42-year-old Colin Hill was shot and killed defending his home against an intruder on Sunday night. (Facebook)

A 22-year-old man will be charged with second-degree murder after what police say was a random killing in a Surrey home Sunday evening.

Surrey RCMP responded to reports of shots fired in a home on 64th Avenue near 166th street late Sunday night.

When police arrived they found a man who had died from what appeared to be gunshot wounds.

On Monday, homicide investigators identified the victim as Colin Hill, 42. Police said he was shot during an altercation with the suspect, who had broken into his home.

The suspect, who was not identified, has a lengthy criminal history, police said.

He was arrested at roughly 2 a.m. Monday after police were called to the scene of a break-in on the 7300 block of MacPherson Avenue in Burnaby. Police said the suspect fled Hill's home in a stolen vehicle, which was later identified at the scene in Burnaby.

Police said the incident that led to the shooting is believed to have been random. The suspect and the victim did not know each other.

“This was a tragic and truly senseless act that has no rationale,” said Surrey RCMP Chief Supt. Bill Fordy. “I’m still angry at this pointless loss of life.”

The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, police said.

Neighbours say Hill and his wife are both realtors. Marks resembling bullet holes could be seen on their front door Monday morning, and neighbours reported hearing as many as five shots before police showed up.

"Cloverdale used to be very safe," said one neighbour. "This is the first time it's happened so we are all very scared."

Police say the investigation is still in its early stages, but understand why people living nearby are worried.

"Certainly anytime there's an incident like this in your neighbourhood people are going to be concerned," said Insp. Jeff Metcalfe with the Surrey RCMP. "That's a very natural reaction to be concerned."

The incident was the second shooting in Surrey in as many nights. In the early hours of Sunday morning, shots were fired at a bakery at 188th Street and the Fraser Highway.

The shooting that killed Hill is not related to any of the previous shootings that have taken place in the city over the past several months, police said.