Notorious gangster killed in targeted shooting, unknown victim stabbed to death
Two homicides this weekend drew heavy police presence to South Vancouver’s Sunset neighbourhood and the West End’s Davie Village.
At 1:30 a.m. Sunday, a 28-year-old man was shot outside Fraserview Banquet Hall on Fraser Street near South East Marine Drive.
Police say they performed CPR on the victim until paramedics arrived, but he died at the scene.
Video from the scene shows his body covered by a grey blanket being loaded into the back of a truck by first responders. A white tent and several yellow evidence cones were also seen.
Police say the shooting was targeted and related to B.C.’s ongoing gang conflict.
CFSEU-BC, the province’s anti-gang police agency, confirmed to CTV News that the victim was well-known gangster Amarpreet Samra.
Samra was previously named by the agency in a list of 11 individuals involved in gang conflict. CFSEU warned the public against interacting with the men as they “pose a significant risk to public safety.”
He was listed in the public warning in 2021 and again in 2022.
"It is highly likely a rival gangster will target them with violence," CFSEU Asst. Cmdr. Manny Mann said when the public was last warned in September 2022, adding the men listed are a risk to their friends and family as well as bystanders.
Kash Heed, a former police chief and BC Solicitor-General, told CTV News officers can do more to stop the gang rivals from harming one another.
“We know about the conflict with the red scorpions; we know about the conflict with the United Nations; we know about the conflicts with some of the South Asian gangs that are taking place right now. We need to intervene on those particular conflicts,” Heed said.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to call the Vancouver Police Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500.
FATAL STABBING
About three hours before the shooting, police were called to a stabbing on Bute and Davie streets Saturday night.
Several evidence markers lined the sidewalk and road in front of the BC Liquor Store.
VPD say it happened just before 10 p.m. The victim, a man who has not been identified, was taken to hospital where he later died.
Some West End residents told CTV News they were alarmed to stumble upon a crime scene in their neighbourhood.
“At 10:10 pm, I pass by here, saw so many police and you know, ambulance here,” Yuoko Ro recalled. “Every time we hear those news, it’s not comfortable and actually, you know, it's a scary.”
No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing, police say.
Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s homicide unit.
Police tape is seen near Davie and Bute streets following a fatal stabbing on May 27, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.