Condolences have been pouring in for the family of a man gunned down in Maple Ridge.
Dustin Evans was fatally shot at the corner of 223 Street and Lougheed Highway on Friday, May 31, after a reported argument erupted into gunfire, according to one witness.
Courtney Frostad, who described herself as a close friend of Evans, said he was her “everything.”
“He was an unbelievably amazing person, who everyone loved. This tragedy is heartbreaking and not fair! It doesn’t even feel real. I’ll never be the same. There’s an emptiness in my heart that will never be filled again – a piece of me is missing without him,” she told The News.
“You don’t really understand how fast someone can be here one minute and gone the next. I’m still having a hard time comprehending this whole thing myself,” added Frostad, saying she’s named a star in memory of Evans.
“I love you so much Dust, xo, until we meet again Baby,” she wrote online.
“RIP Dustin Evans I love you forever & always. I’m sorry I never got to say goodbye but I know moms going to be happy to see you finally until we meet again love ur lil cousin,” wrote Madison Barbara Randall.
Amelia Fiddler said she knew Evans since middle school.
“It hurts knowing how many people I grew up with are passing away, sending my condolences,” she said.
According to his Facebook page, Evans attended Terry Fox Secondary , had studied at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and lived in Port Coquitlam.
Chris Bossley, who formed a friendship with Evans, said she was devastated to learn he was killed.
READ MORE: Fatal shooting shuts down Maple Ridge’s downtown
She got to know Evans during his time at Anita Place Tent City, before it closed in 2019 – during her time volunteering at the homeless camp.
Bossley explained that Evans had been in and out of treatment, and was making an effort to deal with his drug issues.
Last time she saw Evans was more than a year ago, and it was her understanding he had just been released from treatment and was doing well.
“I was very upset to hear about his passing,” said Bossley. “I feel like the system failed him, and unfortunately it was a tragic end to the life of a worthwhile person who didn’t deserve to die this way.”
READ ALSO: IHIT swarms Maple Ridge after fatal downtown shooting
One witness on the scene of last week’s slaying shared what he saw and heard just after 5 p.m. that night.
He reported hearing three shots being fired first. Then, when he came upon the scene, he saw a woman giving CPR to a man on the ground.
He also spotted the alleged shooter, wearing a black hoodie with bulldogs on it, run east along Lougheed Highway towards 224 Street, before escaping from sight between two businesses, south towards the Fraser River.
Another witness, who was sitting in a car mid-block, saw two men fighting for about eight minutes before one man suddenly pulled a knife. The other, he said, pulled a gun and shot the man in the head before attempting to cover his own face and run away.
Police were immediately deployed to the area, shutting down Lougheed Highway between 224 Street and Haney Bypass. At least a half dozen police cruisers and a few handful of officers descended on the downtown core, just east of the intersection. A police dog unit was also seen combing the area.
By early that evening, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) had also joined in, taking conduct of the investigation.
While no other details about the shooting have yet been released, IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti has made an appeal to the public. He’s asking any witnesses or anyone with dash-camera footage from the area, especially between the hours of 4:40 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., to contact IHIT immediately.
He said that although the investigation is ongoing, the incident is believed to be isolated and does not believe there is any active threat to the community.
Anyone with evidence or information related to this incident can contact IHIT at 1-877-551-4448 or ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
