Surrey shooting sends two to hospital

Surrey shooting sends two to hospital A popular park in Surrey's Newton neighbourhood was behind police tape Saturday after a brazen shooting that sent two to hospital.

Mounties in Surrey are investigating a shooting in the city's Newton neighbourhood that sent two people to hospital Friday night.

Surrey RCMP say they responded to a report of a shooting in the area of Mud Bay Park near Colebrook Road shortly after 7 p.m.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found evidence confirming that shots had been fired in the area.

The park remains closed as RCMP investigates. Surrey resident Rich Morissette cycles through the area several times a week. He was disappointed to find the park closed Saturday morning.

"It seems the criminals keep on finding this spot," Morissette said. "Disappointing because it's a family park and a lot of people use it. Especially during the weekend."

Around the same time they first arrived at Mud Bay Park, officers also responded to an address on 56 Avenue near 172 Street, where they found the man who had called them to report the shooting. He was suffering from a gunshot wound and was transported to hospital for treatment.

A few minutes later, around 7:20 p.m., Langley RCMP were called to Langley Memorial Hospital, where a man suffering from a gunshot wound had walked in. Police determined this man's injury was also associated with the Mud Bay Park shooting.

The Surrey RCMP Serious Crime Unit is leading the investigation into the incident. The investigation is in its early stages and police say they are reviewing evidence in an attempt to determine what led up to these events.

Colebrook Road is infamous for crime, with dozens of shootings and bodies found over the years.

The City spent $80,000 on lighting and security in the area back in 2013.

"Yet, it just seems to be a magnet for the criminals," Morissette said. "It's disappointing, you know? Maybe it's the remote area? But yet you'd think there's something the police could do to minimize that."

Earlier in the day Friday, Surrey Mounties reported another incident of shots fired. This one took place in the alley behind the Bayshore Auto Group car dealership on King George Boulevard. Staff at the dealership told CTV News the driver of a white car got in verbal altercation with a lot attendant. Witnesses say three shots were fired and the car speed off. No none was hurt and RCMP have confirmed the shooting was targeted.

Police say it is too early to say if the Mud Bay Park shooting is connected to any other ongoing incidents in the Lower Mainland.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has dash cam video in the area of Colebrook Road or King George Boulevard is asked to call RCMP 604-599-0502 or to call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 if they wish to remain anonymous.

With files from CTV Vancouver's Regan Hasegawa