Police identify suspect in shooting of Transit Police officer in Surrey
Daon Gordon Glasgow named as suspected shooter of Transit Police officer Const. Josh Harms
With a manhunt involving dozens of officers still ongoing, police have named a suspect in the Wednesday afternoon shooting of a Transit Police officer in Surrey.
Thirty-five-year-old Daon Gordon Glasgow is alleged to have shot and injured Const. Josh Harms during an incident at Scott Road SkyTrain Station, Surrey RCMP said in a statement.
Police describe Glasgow as a dark-skinned man, five feet five inches tall, 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen sporting black stubble and a moustache and wearing a blue hoodie and white Nike shoes.
"However, he is known to quickly alter his appearance," police added.
Glasgow, police said, is wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant for being unlawfully at large on an unrelated parole violation. They said he may try to leave the province.
Surrey RCMP spokesperson Elenore Sturko said Glasgow previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter for shooting and killing 39-year-old Terry Blake Scott in a Surrey McDonald's in 2010.
In 2011, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison with a year's credit for time served. The sentencing judge noted he had previous convictions for drug trafficking and a weapons offence.
The McDonald's where the 2010 shooting occurred is about 500 metres from Scott Road Station.
Manhunt continues
Harms, 27, was on regular patrol duty when he was shot at Scott Road Station around 4:20 p.m. PT. He was taken to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster with non life-threatening injuries and released late Wednesday.
In a statement Thursday, Transit Police said Harms "is a well respected, exemplary young police officer" who's been with the force for three years.
It said Harms will be meeting with specialists to determine the extent of his injuries and treatment options.
Man arrested but found not to be suspect
Sturko said Burnaby police arrested a person "who was of a similar description" to the alleged shooter Thursday but determined he was not the suspect.
Burnaby RCMP said the person was arrested on a train at Edmonds Station around 11 a.m. after a tip from the public.
He was taken to the Burnaby detachment, then to Surrey where he was released at approximately 12:40 p.m.
Sturko said there is no suspect in custody.
"It still does remain our top priority investigation at this time," Sturko said. "We are still looking for our suspect. Please remain vigilant."
Sturko said officers remain focused on the area around Scott Road Station based on information from witnesses.
Manhunt launched
Residents were advised to lock their doors and turn on outdoor lights Wednesday night as officers scoured an area around the station.
At least 80 officers are involved in the search. Police are warning the public not to approach Glasgow, who may be armed, but to call 911 instead if they see him.
A dedicated tip line has also been opened at 604-502-6284.
After the shooting, police told the public to avoid the area around the SkyTrain station on Wednesday. Nearby Bridgeview Elementary School was also on lockdown until late evening.
Several blocks in the neighbourhood, from King George Boulevard to 114 Avenue and 125A Street to 124 Street, remained shut down Thursday morning as armed RCMP officers searched for the suspect.
The area was was partly reopened to residents just before 8:30 a.m. PT.
Cruisers were lining every block in the area, and officers were stopping drivers on their way to work to check their IDs and vehicle trunks. RCMP also stopped pedestrians and cyclists, hoping for public tips.
An RCMP statement issued at 8:30 a.m. said residents were safe to "resume their regular activities," but were told to stay vigilant.
One resident, Ted Russell, said he felt better for having the officers nearby.
"Bridgeview's a quiet little community. For something like this to happen is very unusual," he said Thursday morning.
The Scott Road SkyTrain station reopened Wednesday night and both train and bus service have returned to normal, TransLink confirmed. Classes at Bridgeview Elementary are proceeding as normal.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police is the only transit police service in Canada. Its jurisdiction covers the entire transportation service region — an area including 21 municipalities and one First Nation, and served by 17 independent police forces and RCMP detachments.
With files from Gian-Paolo Mendoza, Yvette Brend, Tina Lovgreen and Liam Britten