Burnaby Homicide Investigation Underway After Fatal Shooting
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has been deployed to Burnaby following a shooting incident that resulted in one fatality on Thursday afternoon. Burnaby RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Laura Hirst confirmed that police responded to reports of shots fired in the 3700-block of Canada Way at approximately 5:30 p.m. on January 22, 2026.
Police Discover Victim and Burning Vehicle
Upon arrival at the scene, officers located a male victim who had sustained gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by first responders, the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the location. The identity of the victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
In a concerning development shortly after the shooting, police discovered a vehicle engulfed in flames in the 5000-block of Buxton Street. Investigators are actively working to determine whether there is any connection between the burning vehicle and the fatal shooting incident. The proximity of the two locations and the timing of the discoveries have raised questions about potential links that IHIT is now examining.
Targeted Attack with No Public Risk
Cpl. Hirst stated that preliminary evidence suggests this was a targeted attack rather than a random act of violence. "Police do not believe there is any further risk to the public," she emphasized in her official statement. This assessment provides some reassurance to Burnaby residents concerned about community safety following the violent incident.
Officers remain stationed in the area as they continue gathering evidence and conducting their investigation. The police presence will likely continue for some time as forensic teams work to reconstruct the events leading to the shooting and subsequent vehicle fire.
Witness Appeal and Investigation Details
IHIT investigators are making a public appeal for witnesses or anyone with relevant video footage that might assist their investigation. Specifically, they are seeking:
- Dashcam recordings from vehicles traveling on Canada Way between Boundary Road and Willingdon Avenue
- CCTV footage from the Buxton Street area near Royal Oak Avenue and Forglen Drive
- Any visual evidence captured between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on January 22, 2026
The investigation remains active and ongoing, with multiple law enforcement agencies collaborating to piece together the circumstances surrounding both the shooting and the vehicle fire. The unusual combination of these two incidents occurring in close temporal and geographic proximity has added complexity to the police investigation.
As the community processes this violent event, police have assured residents that they are dedicating significant resources to solving this case and understanding the full context of what transpired in Burnaby on Thursday afternoon.
