Police have identified the two men found dead in Abbotsford, B.C., within a 12-hour period and say both were suspected of having ties to organized crime.
They say a man who was shot in a car late Monday was 21-year-old Sean Patrick Murphy of Mission, B.C., while the man found early Tuesday in a grass field was 19-year-old Ryan Alexander Richards of Abbotsford.
It appears both men died because of their criminal lifestyles, police say.
"We don't believe these were random; both were targeted," said Const. Casey Vinet of the Abbotsford Police.
Murphy's body was found slumped behind the wheel of his car in the 36400-block of Bateman Road, while Richards was found near the Abbotsford-Chilliwack border.
Richards' cause of death won't be determined until an autopsy is done.
A search of criminal records revealed that both men faced numerous charges.
Richards was facing charges for assault with a weapon, breach of recognizance, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Murphy was convicted in 2006 of trafficking a controlled substance.
As the countdown to the provincial elections continues, these latest murders have gotten politicians talking.
"Gang violence is continuing unabated in this province and it's clearly getting out of control and that's absolutely unacceptable," said NDP MLA Mike Farnworth.
Solicitor General John van Dongen said that reforms are amendments are needed to the justice system.
"I think it highlights the need for federal criminal amendments that will help the police fight this kind of serious gun violence and organized crime," said Van Dongan.
Anyone with information about the murders of Richards or Murphy are asked to call Abbotsford Police or the IHIT, the integrated homicide investigation team hotline, at 604-543-9217.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Julia Foy and files from the Canadian Press.
