Richmond RCMP seek public help after mistaken identity leads to bizarre attack
By Castlegar Source
On Feb. 28 at roughly 11 pm, Richmond RCMP officers responded to a noise complaint originating from a secluded location along River Road between No. 7 Rd and No. 8 Rd. Officers were taken aback when three adults were discovered, bound and badly beaten. The trio of victims, one female and two males, were transported by BC Ambulance Service to local area hospital for treatment. One of the victims suffered extensive lacerations to his face and head. The victims, all residents from the lower mainland, have since been released from hospital. They have been cooperating with investigators.
The victims were apparently sitting at a campfire and celebrating an anniversary when they were approached by a group of four unknown males. This group of males apparently mistook the trio for somebody else and allegedly beat them. They fled afterwards in a dark coloured car.
The Richmond RCMP Serious Crimes Unit is investigating this case. This appears to be an isolated incident and a saddening case of mistaken identity.
Richmond RCMP is looking for the four males allegedly responsible for this crime. One suspect is described as being a Caucasian male, 20-30 years in age. The other three suspects are all males and are described collectively to be of mixed ethnicity, possibly in their mid-20s to mid-30s. No other descriptors are available at this time.
“This is a very disturbing and vicious assault on three innocent people. One victim suffered significant injuries and all will have to live with the memory of this brutal assault. We will be doing everything in our power to locate these suspects and bring justice to these victims,” says Cpl. Chris Tarasoff of the Richmond RCMP Serious Crimes Unit.
Richmond RCMP is seeking additional witnesses who may have been in the area from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. If you have any information on this crime, please contact Corporal Chris Tarasoff of the Richmond RCMP Serious Crimes Unit at 604-278-1212. To leave a tip on this crime, please email Richmond_Tips@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
