SURREY — A man who claims to be the prime suspect in a Surrey homicide called a Vancouver TV station to proclaim his innocence.
Barry McQuarrie, the suspect in the slaying of Gary Quesnelle last Monday, called CTV News Sunday to say cops will have to “do their job†to get him behind bars.
“This is a cat-and-mouse game. I’m not handing myself in to the cops because I’m not getting myself out when I get arrested. So they have to do their job and find me,†McQuarrie told CTV news in a phone conversation broadcasted on the weekend.
He said he has no plans to turn himself in — at least when the weather is nice.
“I want to enjoy the summer as much as I can,†he said. “When the time comes after the summer is over, maybe I might hand myself in. If I make it that long.â€
Police believe it was the wanted man who called the station, not an impostor.
“He knows we are looking to speak with him,†said Integrated Homicide Investigation Team spokesman Sgt. Adam MacIntosh.
The safety of the public, officers and McQuarrie himself is the police’s goal, said MacIntosh, “and the person who has the most control over that is Mr. McQuarrie.
“The best way to do that is to turn himself in so I encourage him to give us a call.â€
Investigators believe McQuarrie, 33, is still in the Lower Mainland.
He is wanted on unrelated warrants. He has not been charged in the death of Quesnelle, 32, who was found with gunshot wounds in his Cloverdale townhouse May 12. Investigators said the motive for the homicide likely stemmed from a domestic dispute.
McQuarrie has a criminal record, with charges including drug possession, theft and break and enter.
MacIntosh said anyone with information on McQuarrie’s whereabouts is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
He reiterated that McQuarrie should still be considered armed and dangerous, despite his protestations.
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