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UPDATED: Two taken to hospital after shooting in Abbotsford

Incident took place on Hawthorne Avenue near Greer Street at about 9:20 p.m.
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This house on Hawthorne Avenue was the scene of a double shooting on Thursday night. Police were still on scene Friday morning.

One man was critically injured and another is in serious condition after they were  shot last night (Thursday) at a residence in the 33300 block of Hawthorne Avenue in Abbotsford.

The incident took place at about 9:20 p.m., and police say the two men, ages 21 and 22, are believed to be the victims of a targeted attack.

Abbotsford Police Department (APD) major crime detectives and forensic identification officers have been on scene throughout the night and are expected to remain throughout the day.

Police tape and evidence markers were still at the scene Friday morning. An open garage door revealed blood on the floor and on a wooden cabinet, and bullet holes could be seen on two vehicles, including an orange van in the driveway and a BMW vehicle in the garage.

Sgt. Casey Vinet said no suspects have yet been identified. He said other people were home at the time of the shooting, although he didn’t know how many nor could he confirm how many shots were fired.

He said the two victims are known to police, and investigators are delving further into their backgrounds, including whether there are any connections to the Townline Hill conflict involving two gangs battling over drug turf in west Abbotsford.

That conflict has resulted in several drive-by shootings and two murders, including that of innocent man Ping Shun Ao, who was struck last September by a stray bullet intended for his neighbour.

Vinet said public safety is the number-one concern of police.

“We will be doing everything we can to prevent further violence,” he said.

The residence where the shooting occurred is part of an eight-home complex located on Hawthorne Avenue between Greer and Highview streets. The neighbourhood is located west of McCallum Road and just south of Highway 1.

A nearby resident said he was shocked to hear of the incident, after arriving home about four hours after the shooting and seeing the area swarming with police.

He said the residents of the home in question had lived there for at least a couple of years, and he did not notice any previous problems with them.

He said he was concerned about this level of violence occurring in this neighbourhood and was worried about further incidents.

“I don’t feel safe,” he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the APD at 604-859-5225 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

 



Vikki Hopes

About the Author: Vikki Hopes

I have been a journalist for almost 40 years, and have been at the Abbotsford News since 1991.
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