A South Asian man in his mid-50s who walks with a limp is being sought in connection with a brutal murder attempt on a Maple Ridge realtor in August.
Franz Prokop, a former city councillor, was shot multiple times in the head while showing a rural property on Aug. 31.
He remarkably survived and was eventually able to provide a suspect description to police.
On Tuesday, Sgt. Jennifer Pound of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team called on the public to help identify the individual.
“We do believe that this shooting was a targeted, planned attack, and at this point we’re looking to speak to anybody who may have information,” Pound said.
The suspect’s other identifying features include a round face and full beard, and he’s believed to wear a turban and speak with an accent.
Investigators are also hoping to speak to anyone who may have driven past the crime scene on the day of the shooting between 11 a.m. and 12:40 p.m.
Pound said there were two vehicles parked on Lougheed Highway outside the gated sale property, located just east of 240 Street. One was a BMW belonging to Prokop, the other was a larger-sized dark pickup truck that was driven by the suspect.
Prokop is involved in a civil lawsuit over a $3.6 million lottery ticket, but investigators have not made any connection between the high-stakes court case and the murder attempt.
Pound said police were still working to confirm a motive as of Tuesday.
“There are some working theories that we have but of course we’re not going to be able to comment on those,” she said.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448. Those who wish to remain anonymous can instead call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
