Provincial and federal leaders are calling a fatal five-hour shooting spree in Langley Monday (July 25) a “senseless act of violence” and reiterating the need for action on gun violence.
Police have identified 28-year-old Surrey man Jordan Daniel Goggin as the person who shot four people and killed two of them between midnight and 5:45 a.m. At his final shooting site, police caught up with Goggin and killed him.
READ ALSO: Langley shooting spree took place over five hours: IHIT
Reacting on Twitter later in the day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “horrified” to hear about what had happened.
“My heart breaks for the victims’ loved ones and communities, and my thoughts are with the people who were injured – we’re wishing you a speedy recovery. This violence has no place in any of our communities,” he tweeted.
I’m horrified by the news that came out of Langley, BC yesterday. My heart breaks for the victims’ loved ones and communities, and my thoughts are with the people who were injured – we’re wishing you a speedy recovery. This violence has no place in any of our communities.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 26, 2022
Premier John Horgan called the shooting “extremely concerning and unacceptable” in his own tweet. In a joint statement with Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general, the two described Goggin’s actions as a “senseless act of violence.”
“While we don’t yet know the motive behind this incident, we understand people are concerned and fearful when events like these happen in our communities. With today’s tragic events, we reaffirm our government’s commitment to tackling gun violence in all communities throughout B.C.,” they said in their statement.
My thoughts are with the victims of the horrific shootings in Langley & the Township of Langley today, as well as their friends, family and loved ones. This senseless act of violence against members of our community is extremely concerning & unacceptable.https://t.co/7hWf1aWulK
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) July 26, 2022
Langley-Aldergrove MP Tako van Popta, deputy shadow minister for public safety, also emphasized the need for action on guns.
“We need strong firearm regulating measures that target the criminals and gangsters, and not law abiding citizens,” he tweeted. “These incidents are becoming increasingly common. I hope everyone in our community is staying safe today.”
THREAD. Emergency alert warns of 'multiple shooting scenes' in Langley, B.C. These incidents are becoming increasingly common. I hope everyone in our community is staying safe today. #bcpoli #cdnpoli #langley https://t.co/rxurBZdaPY
— Tako van Popta (@takovanpopta) July 25, 2022
B.C.’s opposition leaders also took to Twitter to express their thoughts.
Liberal leader Kelvin Falcon said his thoughts were with all those impacted by the shooting, and express his thanks to law enforcement.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that all British Columbians can feel safe in their communities,” he tweeted.
The past month has seen men & women in police forces throughout B.C. face incredible challenges. My thanks go out to @LangleyRCMP @WhistlerRCMP @SaanichPolice @vicpdcanada & all law enforcement agencies who have stepped up, time & again, to protect our communities. #BCpoli
— Kevin Falcon 🇺🇦 (@KevinFalcon) July 26, 2022
Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau commented on a different aspect of the tragedy, noting initial reports from Langley RCMP and a local advocate that the victims were people experiencing homelessness.
“The reports that the perpetrator was targeting homeless people are very disturbing. We’ve seen the discourse around homelessness in B.C. veer into fear mongering and the dehumanizing of some of our most vulnerable,” she tweeted.
Words matter – as legislators we need to talk about public safety in a way that makes everyone safer and strengthens communities. To ensure that what we do lifts all British Columbians up and leaves nobody behind. 2/2 #bcpoli
— Sonia Furstenau (@SoniaFurstenau) July 25, 2022
Goggin is believed to have acted alone. Besides the two people he killed, Goggin also shot one man in the leg and sent one woman to hospital in critical condition. Police say they believe the shootings were targeted, but that they aren’t yet sure what connected all the victims to Goggin.
Goggin was known to police, but not in a criminal-manner, according to the Integrated Homicide Investigations Team.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact IHIT at
READ ALSO: Langley spree shooter was 28-year-old Surrey man, police say
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