Burnaby shooting victim identified as 28-year-old Vancouver man: police
Investigators say killing was targeted and appears to be linked to B.C. gang conflict
The victim of a fatal shooting in Burnaby, B.C., on Thursday evening has been identified as a 28-year-old Vancouver man, homicide investigators say.
Police say they received reports of a shooting in the 3700 block of Canada Way, near the intersection of Boundary Road, just before 5:30 p.m. PT.
When they arrived at the scene, officers found one male victim, now identified as Dilraj Singh Gill. He died despite life-saving efforts.
Shortly after the shooting, police found a vehicle on fire in the 5000 block of Buxton Street, which investigators say is connected to the homicide.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) says Gill had multiple interactions with the police in the past and has a criminal history related to drug offences and organized crime.
Police say the shooting appears to have been targeted and connected to the B.C. gang conflict.
“A shooting, especially in a public place, is extremely troubling, not only for the police but for the entire community,” said IHIT Sgt. Freda Fong in a statement Friday. "Information from witnesses and those in the area will be crucial in ensuring this investigation advances and to hold those responsible, accountable.”
Thursday's killing marks the fourth gang-related homicide in the Lower Mainland in just over two weeks. Three men with gang connections were killed in Surrey and Abbotsford earlier this month.
Investigators say they are looking at possible links between those cases and Thursday’s shooting in Burnaby.
Local resident Zeeyad Popat said he was at home with his wife and children on Thursday evening when he heard what initially sounded like someone banging a rug or carpet to get the dust out of it.
The couple soon realized it was gun shots and recalled seeing a masked person walking away from the scene before emergency crews arrived to try to save the victim.
“It’s been a tough night,” Popat told CBC News Friday morning. “It’s one of these things that are a shock to us that could happen in our neighbourhood.”
Police say there is no ongoing risk to the public.
Investigators are asking anyone with more information, including dashcam footage, to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448).
With files from Jessica Cheung