SURREY, B.C. — The RCMP asked residents of a neighbourhood in Surrey, B.C., to lock their doors and turn on their outdoor lights Wednesday night as they searched for a suspect in the shooting of a transit officer.
Assistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said the RCMP set up containment zones in an area around the Scott Road SkyTrain station and also around a home in the area.
A transit police spokesman said Const. Josh Harms was recovering in hospital. Sgt. Clint Hampton said the 27-year-old has been with the transit police for three years.
Please share: video released of the suspect who shot a @TransitPolice officer earlier today. We are actively searching for him. Call 911 if you see him. pic.twitter.com/xZxM7g9zdD
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) January 31, 2019
"Our chief recently checked in with Constable Harms at the hospital. He was in good spirits and where he needs to be," Hampton said.
Premier John Horgan tweeted his support for Harms.
"My thoughts are with injured #Surrey Const. Joshua Harms, who was shot this evening in the line of duty. I'm relieved to hear he is OK and in good spirits," he tweeted.
My thoughts are with injured #Surrey Const. Joshua Harms, who was shot this evening in the line of duty. I'm relieved to hear he is OK and in good spirits. https://t.co/x1q5yBB2iJ
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) January 31, 2019
A number of other police departments also sent their best wishes to the injured officer on Twitter.
McDonald said the RCMP had "flooded" the area in its search for the suspect with at least 80 officers involved in the operation.
The suspect was described as a man in 20s with dark skin, a dark stubble goatee and a moustache, who was last seen wearing a blue hoodie and white Nike brand running shoes.
RCMP say they received 911 calls and an alert from Metro Vancouver Transit Police that one of their officers had been shot at the Scott Road Skytrain station at about 4:20 p.m. Wednesday.
The officer shot earlier today at Scott Road SkyTrain Station is 27-year-old Constable Josh Harms, who has been with Transit Police for 3 years. @ChiefKross reports that Cst. Harms is in good spirits at the hospital. We will share all of your kind messages with Cst. Harms.
— Transit Police BC (@TransitPolice) January 31, 2019
They say the officer was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The individual had come "to the immediate attention" of transit officers at the train station, McDonald said.
"They attempted to engage him and were immediately met with gunfire," he said.
TransLink said in a tweet the train station was closed due to the police incident and bus service was being offered as a replacement.
Commuters who needed access to the parking lot at the SkyTrain were being escorted by police, but McDonald said anyone else was advised to stay out of the area and members of the public should not approach the suspect.
McDonald said officers had locked down several residences and investigators were reviewing video evidence and interviewing a "substantial" number of witnesses.
"We have flooded the area with officers, this is an evolving situation," McDonald said. "Public in the area could be at risk which is why we're trying to apprehend the suspect as soon as possible."
This is what things look like at 113b and 125a. Police on every corner. They are checking ID’s and checking people coming and going here. They are asking people who don’t live in Bridgeview to stay out of the area. Again, police asking people to remain vigilant. @CTVVancouver pic.twitter.com/mkcJuJpzJu
— Sheila Scott (@Sheila_Scott) January 31, 2019
RCMP are also asking the public to be vigilant as the search continues for a suspect in the shooting of a transit officer.
Residents were advised to lock their doors and turn on outdoor lights Wednesday night as officers scoured an area around the Scott Road SkyTrain station for a man believed to be in his 20s who has dark skin, a dark stubble goatee and a moustache.
Sgt. Chad Greig says the situation did not change overnight and containment zones set up after the shooting are being maintained around the transit station and nearby homes in the Bridgeview neighbourhood.
Police at checkpoints are stopping vehicles, searching trunks and speaking to pedestrians and cyclists in hopes of gathering tips that could lead them to the suspect.
Update: we continue to search for the suspect in yesterday's shooting of a @TransitPolice officer. Area roads & Scott Rd Skytrain open however there will be increased police presence & vehicle checks. Residents should remain vigilant and call 911 to report suspicious activity. pic.twitter.com/TBqa466ToV
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) January 31, 2019
The suspect is believed to be armed and anyone who sees him should not approach him but should call 911.
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) January 31, 2019
At least 80 RCMP officers have been assigned to the case and a photo of the suspect released Wednesday night shows he was last seen wearing a blue hoodie and white Nike running shoes.
