Police investigating the South Surrey shooting death of 28-year-old Craig Widdifield said this week a suspect vehicle was recovered a “couple of days” after the murder.
But there have still been no arrests in connection with the “merciless” killing.
Sgt. Jennifer Pound, spokesperson for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, told Peace Arch News by email Thursday that a silver/grey vehicle – described earlier as a Volkswagen Passat – was located with help from the public, seized and “remains within IHIT’s possession.”
“There is a common ground within communities around the Lower Mainland to ensure the public is safe,” Pound wrote in response to questions from PAN. “This show of vigilance and persistence in assisting police locate this vehicle proves just that.”
Pound would not disclose exactly when or where the vehicle was located, citing the ongoing investigation.
Widdifield was killed just before 7 p.m. April 24, in the parking lot of Morgan Crossing shopping centre.
While a similar shooting occurred five days later in Maple Ridge, Pound said there is no indication the two incidents are linked.
“There is nothing to suggest, at this time, that the Ridge Meadows shooting was connected to the recent Surrey shooting,” Pound wrote.
Claude Deguire, a 26-year-old Maple Ridge resident, died April 29 after he was shot in the parking lot of a grocery store in that city just before 8 p.m.
Police have described both Deguire’s and Widdifield’s deaths as targeted. Two men arrested in connection with Deguire’s death were released without charges Tuesday.
The day after Widdifield was killed, police announced that they believed those responsible fled the scene in a Jeep Cherokee and got into a silver or grey Volkswagen Passat near 28 Avenue and 165 Street.
Rumours that Widdifield had been wearing a bullet-proof vest at the time he was shot are unfounded, Pound said.
