The home of an innocent family was struck by gunfire on Saturday night (Sept. 20) in Abbotsford, according to police.
Sgt. Paul Walker, media officer with the Abbotsford Police Department, said officers responded at 5:22 p.m. to reports of shots being fired through the front window of a home in the 30600 block of Brookside Avenue in west Abbotsford. Nobody was injured.
Walker said the initial investigation suggests that a “disturbance” occurred on the street and escalated to shots being fired. A vehicle was reported to be heard leaving the area around the time of the incident, he said.
“The residence struck by gunfire appears to have no connection to the disturbance, making this a deeply concerning case of an innocent family being impacted by violence in their neighbourhood,” Walker said.
“… When individuals recklessly discharge firearms in residential areas, they’re not just involved in criminal activity, they’re putting innocent lives at risk. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable, and we will continue working with our community and partners to hold those responsible accountable.”
The incident marks the fifth shots-fired incident in Abbotsford in September. The others occurred Sept. 1 at a home on Balfour Drive, Sept. 5 at a home on Terminal Court, Sept. 6 on Nightingale Drive and Sept. 15 on Eagle Peak Drive.
The only incident resulting in injuries was the one on Sept. 6, when a man was taken to hospital with critical injuries.
Also over the weekend, police responded at 9:07 p.m. on Sunday (Sept. 21) to a reported home invasion in the 3600 block of Homestead Crescent.
Walker said three suspects – believed to be men – entered a home and assaulted the lone occupant before leaving the scene. He said the victim sustained minor injuries.
“While the motive remains unclear, early evidence suggests this was a targeted incident,” Walker said.
He said investigators are working to determine the circumstances behind the incident and identity the suspects.
