South Vancouver shooting was targeted, police seeking 3 people seen leaving the scene
Police say Vancouver's eighth homicide of 2021 was targeted, but they're not yet saying whether the Friday night shooting was gang related.
Officers were called to the intersection of Kent Avenue and Kerr Street around 10 p.m. for reports of shots fired across from Riverfront Park, Vancouver police said Saturday.
When they arrived, police said, they found 44-year-old Alvis Anjesh Singh dead in his vehicle.
Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin told reporters at a news conference Saturday afternoon that Singh was known to police, and that investigators believe he was targeted.
She stopped short of connecting the killing to the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict, however.
"This definitely was a targeted incident," Visitin said. "Investigators are still determining if it's part of the current gang conflict. I believe (the victim) has, years ago, there were some gang ties there, but (investigators are) determining if it's part of the present conflict."
Laura Ubial was sitting at her table doing some work when she heard the shots.
“I heard loud pops,” she told CTV News Vancouver. “At least seven or eight? That’s what my husband and I thought we heard.”
Ubial said she went out on her porch to see what was going on.
“I did see a vehicle leaving rather quickly,” she said. “I think it was a light-coloured, small SUV, but I didn’t get the type of car.”
The squealing tires and gunshots woke up Hannah Amar.
“I heard the men shouting, they were shouting, ‘That was gun shots, that was gun shots,’” she told CTV News.
She added that shortly after officers arrived, she “heard police say they found it at 59th and Ontario.”
Sure enough, police confirmed Saturday that a burned-out SUV was found near Sexsmith Elementary School, near the intersection of West 59th Avenue and Ontario Street, shortly after the shooting.
"The investigation is still in the preliminary stages, but investigators believe the burnt out vehicle is connected to the homicide," police said in a news release.
Investigators are looking for three people who were seen inside a silver SUV with a sunroof that drove east on Kent Avenue after the shots were heard, police said.
They're asking anyone who has dash cam video from between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday in the area of Langara Golf Course and Sexsmith Elementary School to contact the Vancouver Police Department's Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500.
No arrests have been made, police said.
The recent surge in gang killings in Metro Vancouver has tended to follow a pattern, in which getaway vehicles are found torched shortly after shootings take place.
Visintin acknowledged that this latest incident fits that pattern, and said the ongoing gang conflict in the region is troubling to police, and "retaliation is always a concern."
"Of course, it's very concerning," she said. "It's reckless behaviour by these individuals."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Michael Cohen takes the stand as testimony in Trump hush money case enters 4th week
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
'Be very, very careful': Wildfire conditions 'still extreme,' says Alberta fire chief
As wildfire conditions remain 'extreme' in northern Alberta, residents are being urged to be extra cautious and follow a fire ban.
Air quality advisories issued in 5 provinces, 1 territory
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
Irving Oil former president dies at age 93
Arthur L. Irving, chairman emeritus and former president of Irving Oil, has died at the age of 93.