British Columbia

Abbotsford arrests not tied to deadly Vancouver restaurant shooting: police

The arrests of four suspected gang members in Abbotsford, B.C., had nothing to do with the deadly shooting in a Vancouver Chinese restaurant that killed two people and wounded six a day before, police said Monday.

Thearrests of four suspected gang members in Abbotsford, B.C., had nothing to do with the deadly shooting in a Vancouver Chinese restaurant that killed two people and wounded six a day before, police said Monday.

The shattered front door of Fortune Happiness Restaurant on East Broadway has been replaced, but there's no word on when it will re-open to the public. ((CBC))

Abbotsford police made the arrests on Friday, following searches of two residences and seizures of high-powered weapons, drugs and cash.

The four people, who are related, are believed to be members of a gang that calls itself the United Nations, Abbotsford police said.

One of the weapons seized is similar to a gun used in Thursday's brazen shooting in the Fortune Happiness Restaurant at 654 East Broadway just west of Fraser Street in Vancouver, police said.

Vancouver police said they believe the shooting is gang-related. The gunmen are still at large, and police are giving few details on how the investigation is going.

Three shooting victims remain in hospital

Of the six wounded, three remained in hospital on Monday; their injuries are not life threatening. Police said they are co-operating with the investigation.

Const. Howard Chow said there is no indication from their intelligence that rival groups are poised to take revenge through more deadly attacks.

"We don't have any legitimate threats that we're aware of at this point," the Vancouver police spokesman told CBC News Monday afternoon.

"But if there were, we would take all necessary precautions to make sure those the threats are directed against [are safe] as well as the public," he said.

Shattered door replaced

Police investigators and identification teams have finished their investigation of the restaurant where the shooting occurred.

The shattered front door of the restaurant has been replaced, but there's no word on when it will re-open to the public. A couple of people inside cleaning quietly declined to be interviewed.

Neighbours of the Fortune Happiness Restaurant hope a new business will move into the site. ((CBC))

Some people who run businesses nearby told CBC News they are hoping things would stay quiet. The last few days have taken a toll, they said.

"If we have no business, people [are] scared to come to this area right now," said Mohamed Ahmed of Shapla Groceries.

Some want the current owners of the restaurant gone.

"We hope it doesn't open anymore," said Mike Ismail, of the Palace of Falafel Restaurant. "New owner, the same business, maybe — but not like that, please."