Murder in Whistler

I wasn't out last night, but some guy from Surrey apparently shot someone last night around closing in the village, right in front of an RCMP officer and his dog, he got chased down and arrested, and is appearing in court tomorrow. This was bound to happen eventually, but hey, it isn't even may long weekend yet! Christ...

Here's the province article.
Link. http://www.canada.com/theprovince/ne...8fd4b5&k=34988


WHISTLER - Residents were reeling yesterday after the resort's first murder in 30 years -- a shooting that took place in plain view of an RCMP officer.

The shocking incident -- in which one man pulled a gun and shot another in front of a police dog squad, rattled Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed.

"I am quite distraught," said Melamed, who has lived in Whistler since 1976. "Obviously, it is something that is of grave concern."

A police dog handler and his canine officer patrol an area marked by security tape in Whistler yesterday following an early-morning shooting that left one man dead.
Bonny Makarewicz - For the Province

The deceased, whose identity has not been released, was a 26-year-old man from Coquitlam. Police say he was not known to them.

The incident took place around 2 a.m. as busy nightclubs began to empty for the evening, said Cpl. Dale Carr of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

Carr, who was in Whistler to investigate the shooting, said "there were quite a few people milling around Village Square" but it was not clear whether the shooter had been in any of the clubs.

"There was a bit of an altercation [between two groups] and someone pulled out a handgun and shot someone," Carr said.

The shooting occurred in front of a Lower Mainland Police Dog Service team, which sprang into action and, after a short foot chase, caught a suspect.

The Lower Mainland Forensic Investigation Section is also conducting a crime-scene examination.

Charges have not been laid and the identity of the suspect is not being released.

Police say, however, that the man is from Surrey and is known to them. He is to appear in North Vancouver Provincial Court tomorrow.

For several years, Whistler has teamed up with police agencies from the Lower Mainland to maintain a strong presence in the village -- especially on the weekends and during holidays, when the population of the town can swell to tens of thousands.

Last night, there were at least six officers patrolling the village on foot.

"Our message is: Don't bring your issues to the village because we are highly policed and we will get you," said Insp. Norm McPhail of the Sea to Sky Region.

Visitors meandering through the village yesterday morning were caught by surprise by the police presence at a busy intersection of the pedestrian resort.

"It's hard to believe it would happen here," said Peter Miles of Washington.

"I've been coming here for years and sure, the party scene is busy -- but I never thought this could happen."

Coun. Nancy Wilhelm-Morden, a resident since 1973, said she was upset about the shooting but added: "I am personally convinced that Whistler is safe. This is an isolated incident."

In 2003, there was a stabbing in the resort outside one of the nightclubs. Since then, clubs have set up communication systems to warn each other of troublemakers. Some also use metal detectors to check for weapons.