British Columbia

Shooting closes down Vancouver's busy Robson Street

Visible bullet holes and flashing police lights were visible on Robson Street Saturday evening after officials shut down an entire block for several hours following what's believed to be a targeted shooting in downtown Vancouver.

Bullet holes could be seen on a black SUV sitting at the centre of the police scene

Police tape cordons off a stretch of Robson Street as police investigate.
A police traffic authority vehicle sits just beyond the police tape that cordoned off a stretch of Robson Street, in downtown Vancouver on Saturday. Pedestrians and cars were blocked from the area for several hours. (Tessa Vikander/CBC)

UPDATE — April 1, 2024: Video appears to show shooting suspects opening fire on vehicle on Robson Street


Visible bullet holes and flashing police lights were visible on Robson Street Saturday evening after officials shut down an entire block for several hours following what's believed to be a targeted shooting in downtown Vancouver.

Police got calls from multiple witnesses around 5:40 p.m. local time after shots were fired near Richards Street and Robson Street — a popular destination for shopping and dining, typically busy with pedestrians on weekends.

"Evidence indicates the shooting was targeted, and at this time there are no known injuries and no arrests have been made," said Vancouver police in a release.

At the centre of the scene, near the alley, was a black Jaguar SUV. Its front appears to have smashed into a white Audi SUV.

A black SUV sits perpendicular to a white SUV on Robson Street.
A black SUV sits perpendicular to a white SUV on Robson Street, at the centre of a police scene, in downtown Vancouver on Saturday. (Tessa Vikander/CBC)

At least nine numbered yellow cones — the ones typically used to mark off evidence at a crime scene — could be seen on the ground surrounding the SUV.

A witness told CBC News that they heard gunshots shortly before the black and white SUVs collided. Three bullet holes could be seen on the passenger side rear door of the black vehicle.

Another bullet hole could be seen in the window of a nearby Tim Hortons. 

Police cordoned off the road and sidewalk between Richards Street and Homer Street, preventing pedestrians from accessing the many shops and restaurants in that block.

A police officer in a yellow jacket at a crime scene.
Multiple officers and police vehicles could be seen on Robson Street between Homer Street and Richards Street in downtown Vancouver on Saturday. (Tessa Vikander/CBC)

CBC News has reached out to the Vancouver Police Department for more information. Police are also asking any witnesses to contact them at 604-717-2541.

With files from Tessa Vikander