Fatal shooting of Burnaby teen may be connected to Surrey vehicle fire: IHIT
Homicide investigators are looking into whether a vehicle fire in Surrey on Thursday morning is connected to the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy in Burnaby hours later.
Mounties in Burnaby found the deceased teen with gunshot wounds in a vehicle shortly before noon, though investigators believe the shooting happened closer to 9 a.m. and was likely targeted.
“Investigators are working to determine if it was connected to the Lower Mainland gang conflict,” reads a statement issued Friday by the Integrated Homicide Investigations Team, which has taken conduct of the case.
Shortly after 9 a.m., IHIT says, a vehicle fire was reported in Surrey near 173 Street and 101 Avenue.
Investigators are now working to see if the scorched SUV, a white Nissan Rouge, is linked to the fatal Burnaby shooting.
Sgt. Timothy Pierotti of IHIT says the team will be speaking to neighbours and canvassing for video in both areas throughout Friday.
“If you were in either area between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. and have dash cam video, please contact IHIT immediately,” Pierotti wrote in the statement.
IHIT won’t release the name of the victim, but has confirmed that immediate family members have been notified.
Family friends have identified the boy as Jalal Rahimi, who lived in the Mulberry Place housing complex where the shooting took place.
A woman named Vik, who tells CTV News she’s lived there for nearly 30 years, says residents are still in disbelief.
“That shocked me and scared me,” she said. “Because the poor kid, from what I heard was in his car, he was just going to school."
The shooting took place in an underground parking lot at the complex.
“That’s terrifying," Vik said. "The majority of people in the bottom part of the complex park there, so now everyone is looking behind their back going to their vehicle.”
Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen anything or has surveillance video from near either scene to come forward.
IHIT can be reached by phone at 1-877-551-4448 or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc-gc.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberals to go after predatory lending in today's budget, invest in dental care plan
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is set to table a federal budget in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon, which a federal source says will include plans to go after predatory lending and more details on dental care as part of a pitch to make life more affordable.

Walmart Canada CEO says retailer not trying to profit from inflation
Walmart Canada is not trying to profit from food inflation, president and CEO Gonzalo Gebara told a parliamentary committee studying the issue Monday evening.
Hockey Canada says 2018 junior players ineligible for international competition
Hockey Canada says players from the 2018 world junior hockey team will not be considered for international competition until an investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving members of the team is complete.
Victims identified as police reveal Nashville school shooter had drawn maps, done surveillance
The suspect in a Nashville school shooting on Monday had drawn a detailed map of the school, including potential entry points, and conducted surveillance before killing three students and three adults in the latest in a series of mass shootings in a country growing increasingly unnerved by bloodshed in schools.
Indigenous concert in Vancouver cancelled over questions about performer's identity claims
The Vancouver Park Board and Britannia Community Services Centre cancelled an event Sunday that had been advertised as part of an Indigenous concert series in Grandview Park.
How many COVID-19 vaccine doses should you have by now?
Here is a summary of the current COVID-19 vaccination guidelines from NACI, for both children and adults who are at increased risk of serious illness and those who are not.
From silicon to brain cells: How biology may hold the future of computers
As artificial intelligence software and advanced computers revolutionize modern technology, some researchers see a future where computer programmers leap from silicon to organic molecules.
Freeland's budget to include grocery rebate for lower income Canadians, here's what else to expect Tuesday
The 2023 federal budget will include a one-time 'grocery rebate' for Canadians with lower incomes who may be struggling with the rising cost of food, CTV News has confirmed.
Pope Francis the fashion icon? Detecting AI images reaches 'uncanny valley,' cybersecurity expert warns
After a few altered images of Pope Francis sporting a white puffer jacket convinced the online world the Catholic leader could be a part-time fashion icon, one expert warns the rapid improvement of AI could pose larger societal problems.