Downtown Vancouver shooting victim was not 'intended target,' police say
A man who was shot in the face in downtown Vancouver earlier this month was an innocent bystander, according to an update from authorities.
Insp. Mike Rowe, the officer in charge of the Vancouver Police Department's Major Crime Section, confirmed the details at a news conference Tuesday after charges were laid in the April 3 shooting, which happened near the intersection of Pender and Homer streets around 8 p.m.
"When police arrived they found of a 46-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds to the face. The victim was rushed to hospital for treatment and while he is expected to survive, his physical and emotional injuries will be long-lasting," Rowe said, later adding that the victim is "lucky to be alive."
The suspect allegedly fled the scene and no arrests were made at the time.
"His identity was not immediately known and neither was the motive for the shooting or the circumstances," Rowe said.
"For nearly two weeks, our officers worked non-stop to gather and analyze forensic and video evidence from the crime scene, to interview witnesses and understand the events that lead up to the shooting."
Justin Littlewolfe, 32, has now been charged with one count of aggravated assault and one count of discharging a firearm. He remains in custody.
"I am able to confirm that the victim in this case was not the intended target of the shooting. And the victim in this case was, in fact, an innocent bystander," Rowe said.
"On behalf of the Vancouver Police Department, my condolences go to the shooting victim and his loved ones. I know this arrest of these charges won't change what has happened to him but I hope this begins to provide some answers as to what was – without a doubt – an extremely traumatic and life-changing experience."
Anyone with information who has not yet spoken with police is urged to call 604-717-2541.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
Some birds may use 'mental time travel,' study finds
Real quick — what did you have for lunch yesterday? Were you with anyone? Where were you? Can you picture the scene? The ability to remember things that happened to you in the past, especially to go back and recall little incidental details, is a hallmark of what psychologists call episodic memory — and new research indicates that it’s an ability humans may share with birds called Eurasian jays.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
Indianapolis 500 delayed as strong storm forces fans to evacuate Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The start of the Indianapolis 500 was delayed as a strong storm pushed through the area Sunday, forcing Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials to evacuate about 125,000 fans who had already arrived for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Hamas rocket attack from Gaza sets off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv for the first time in months
Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza that set off air raid sirens as far away as Tel Aviv for the first time in months on Sunday in a show of resilience more than seven months into Israel's massive air, sea and ground offensive.
At least 13 dead in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after severe weather roars across region
Powerful storms killed at least 13 people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where dozens sought shelter in a restroom during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.