British Columbia

Shots ring out in Newton area of Surrey as gunfire continues

Just as Surrey police were getting a handle on the latest shooting in the city — bullets fired into a house party — investigators have been called off to another, Surrey's 39th of 2016.

Latest marks 39th incident of shots fired in 2016 in Surrey

This SUV was involved in Surrey's 39th incidence of gunfire in 2016 so far. (Shane MacKichan)

Just hours after shaking hands and playing games at an RCMP open house to help develop stronger ties and trust between residents and police, officers were on the scene of Surrey's 39th shooting incident of 2016.

The 38th happened less that 24 hours earlier, when shots were fired around 3:30 a.m. PT on Saturday into a house party in South Surrey. No one was hurt.

"What we know at this point is that it was a targeted event, although no links to the recent spike in violence that we saw ... [in] March, here in Surrey," said Cpl. Scotty Schumann to media covering the open house.

1000 people attended Surrey RCMP's open house on Saturday, May 14, 2016, while there were two new shooting incidents in the city. (CBC)

Just before 6:30 p.m. PT on Saturday officers were off again, rushing to 75A Avenue and 120th Street [Scott Road] where there were reports of shots fired between two vehicles.

"Patrol officers attended and located a silver SUV with one adult male suffering from injuries related to the shooting," said a release from Surrey RCMP.

Images from the scene show a vehicle riddled with bullet holes.

Cpl. Scotty Schumann, who speaks for Surrey RCMP, took questions about shootings in the city at a open house event Saturday, May 14, 2016, which was aimed at creating better relationships between residents and police. (CBC)

"The male was transported to a regional hospital to be treated for his injuries.  At the time of departing for the hospital the male was conscious and able to speak."

Police are not releasing any more details and have not confirmed if this latest violence is related to organized crime, as dozens of others have so far this year.

Meanwhile earlier in the day Schumann tried to put a positive spin on all the gun violence that continues to add up.

Officers gathered at 75A Avenue and Scott Road to investigate Surrey's latest shooting in 2016. (Shane MacKichan)

"The number of people injured actually is quite minimal compared to the number of incidents that we've had," he said.