It appears a South Langley man was trying to warn some strangers away when he fired a single shot that provoked a huge police response Wednesday morning.
The strangers were actually plainclothes members of the Surrey RCMP property crime section who were carrying out an investigation on Eighth Avenue between 198 and 200 Streets around 9 a.m.
The police response to the gunfire was swift and massive.
Dozens of Surrey and Langley RCMP vehicles and officers rushed into the area.
Streets were cordoned off and residents of the rural street were evacuated.
The 41-year-old man who fired the shot surrendered without incident.
A four-year-old boy was also taken into custody and was, temporarily, placed in the care of the Ministry of Children and Families.
As a police helicopter hovered above, a police armored personnel carrier arrived to assist heavily armed members of the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team who searched the residence.
Later in the day, Langley RCMP investigators issued a statement that they do not believe the shot fired was directed at a person.
On Thursday, police announced no charges would be laid.
Investigators had suggested at least one count of careless use of a firearm, but the Crown prosecutor’s office declined.
Langley RCMP Cpl. Holly Marks said residents should call police when they spot suspicious people rather than take matters into their own hands.
