3 dead in Langley, B.C., shootings as police identify suspect
Three men are dead and one woman seriously hurt after multiple shootings in Langley, B.C., on Monday prompted a series of emergency alerts to the public.
The suspect, a 28-year-old man identified by police Monday evening, is among the dead after being shot by RCMP, ending a series of attacks officers initially said were targeted at homeless people in the community.
The suspect's alleged motive remains unknown.
The province's Independent Investigations Office (IIO) is now investigating the officers' actions.
At a news conference Monday afternoon, police said the shootings unfolded in the City of Langley and the neighbouring Township of Langley over the course of six hours, starting around midnight.
According to IHIT, the first shooting is believed to have occurred just after midnight at the Cascades Casino, at Fraser Highway and 203A Street. A woman who is homeless was critically injured and remains in hospital.
Around 3:40 a.m., a man was shot dead at Creek Stone Place, a supportive housing project on 201 Street.
A second man was killed at the Logan Avenue city bus loop at 5:03 a.m., police said.
Soon after, around 5:45 a.m., police found a fourth man suffering from a gunshot to his leg near the Willowbrook Mall, at 200 Street and the Langley Bypass. It was at roughly that time police found and shot the suspect in the area of the Langley Bypass, following an "interaction" but did not provide the exact time he was shot.
Multiple victims reported in Langley, B.C. shootings
Just before 6:20 a.m., RCMP issued a blaring direct-to-cellphone emergency alert to the public with a description of a suspect and possible suspect vehicle — the second time in the past year the Alert Ready system has been used for an active shooter scenario in B.C.
Police said the alert wasn't sent earlier because investigators did not immediately realize the shootings were connected.
"Our first responders were handling each case, one on one, and as the scene unfolded and as we were able to piece [it] together ... The alert was done at the appropriate time as the information became known to us and a proper risk assessment was done," said Sgt. David Lee with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
"That time was the best time that we were able to issue the alert and tie these things together."
Suspect identified as police seek tips
The suspect has been identified as a 28-year-old Surrey man "known to police," homicide investigators said Monday.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is now looking for anyone who knew Jordan Daniel Goggin.
"Goggin was engaged by police and shot where he died at the scene," IHIT Sgt. David Lee said in a statement Monday evening. "IHIT is looking to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Jordan Daniel Goggin or know of his activities."
The suspect previously "had non-criminal contact" with police, IHIT said in a statement.
RCMP Sgt. Rebecca Parslow said in an interview Monday morning the victims were homeless, and that police believed the attacks were targeted.
At the news conference, RCMP said the two victims who died had been identified, but they would not be releasing their names until their families had been notified.
"At this time we don't know the motive behind this deadly incident, nor if there was any relationship between the deceased suspect and the victims," said Chief Supt. Ghalib Bhayani, assistant district commander with the Lower Mainland RCMP.
Multiple crime scenes
The city and township of Langley are located around 40 kilometres southeast of Vancouver. The crime scenes at the mall, casino, housing complex and bus loop were just a few kilometres apart.
In the parking lot of Willowbrook Mall, the area where police say the suspect was killed, an unmarked black police vehicle was seen riddled with at least nine bullet holes in the windshield and driver's side window.
RCMP said they could not say whether the suspect shot at police or whether an officer fired through their window.
On the sidewalk, a bicycle lay toppled with a blue sleeping bag and other personal belongings tied to a crate on the back. Outside the casino, a shopping cart and other items sat behind yellow police tape.
The initial emergency alert described the suspect as a white man with dark hair who was wearing brown Carhartt coveralls and a blue and green camouflage T-shirt with a red logo on the right sleeve.
The notice said he was connected to a white vehicle. Later Monday, a white four-door sedan with its licence plates covered by police sat in the same area where the suspect was shot dead.
Officials sent a second emergency alert just after 7:20 a.m. PT.
It said the suspect was "no longer a threat" but reiterated the need to stay away from the downtown core as officers ruled out the possibility of multiple suspects.
'My heart breaks,' mayor says
City of Langley Mayor Val van den Broek was at a loss for words on Monday.
"I can't even explain it. Like I said, my heart breaks. This is something that you never want to see happen in your community. Never, ever," she said.
"Sorry, I'm pretty emotional right now," she added, through tears. "I volunteer with the homeless and I know them and it's very personal for me as well."
Along with IHIT's deployment, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C., which looks into police-related incidents causing serious harm or death, has also been called out because the suspect was shot dead.
Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators, Bhayani said.
RCMP have closed 200 Street, a major route through the centre of the city, between Willowbrook Mall and the Langley Bypass.
Police specified the following areas as places for the public to avoid:
200 Street and the Langley Bypass
Cascades Casino on Fraser Highway and 204 Street
The Langley bus loop at Logan Avenue and Glover Roa
