YVR Shooting believed gang-related
VANCOUVER — The death of a 28-year-old man outside the departure terminal at Vancouver International Airport is believed to be linked to the ongoing gang conflict that has gripped British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, police say.
Sgt. Frank Jang of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said the victim is known to police and the shooting needs to stop.
“I think we’re all tired of seeing the violence that is taking place on our streets,” Jang said during a late news conference Sunday.
An SUV with at least two people inside was seen leaving the scene. When a police officer later caught up with a fleeing suspect vehicle, someone fired shots, hitting the police cruiser. The officer stopped the chase before being hurt and in the interests of public safety. The officer didn’t return fire on the busy street.
A short time later, fire crews in Surrey were called to attend a vehicle fire in a back alley, about 28 kilometres from the airport. Several targeted shootings have ended with similar vehicle fires.
Richmond RCMP Chief Supt. Will Ng said the shooting took place about 3 p.m. on Sunday and shortly afterwards one of their officers caught up with the suspect vehicle.