Emergency responders were called to an Abbotsford encampment multiple times last week.

Last Monday night, a 69-year-old man was shot and killed at the Whatcom Road Park and Ride, an RV park and homeless encampment. Police say Wayne Versfelt was likely killed in an isolated, targeted incident.

While police investigated Versfelt’s murder later in the week, another emergency broke out. A large fire erupted Thursday morning, starting in one RV and quickly spreading to other structures. Police at the scene were able to evacuate everyone safely before fire crews arrived. 

But the fire wasn’t the reason for police presence that day. While Abbotsford PD hasn’t announced any arrests in the homicide investigation, Global News reports that the Emergency Response Team was on site at the Whatcom encampment Thursday afternoon. Flash bangs were set off by ERT and police could be seen telling a man to exit a trailer with his hands up.

These dramatic incidents have raised concerns among some Abbotsford community members, who could be seen protesting the encampment on Thursday, calling on multiple levels of government to take action to improve safety at the camp. 

The encampment is located on provincial land, and BC Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth says his staff are looking into short-term public safety measures that can be taken in the RV park.

According to Abbotsford PD, police have been called to the encampment more than 200 times this year.