IHIT appeals for help from public after targeted killing in Abbotsford

Homicide investigators are appealing to the public for help to identify the suspects in a targeted shooting that left one man dead in Abbotsford, B.C., Thursday evening.

Abbotsford police responded to a call for shots fired at a popular business plaza at South Fraser Way and Clearbrook Road shortly before 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Officers who arrived on the scene found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

"We need the community to get on board and if you have intimate knowledge of who is responsible for last night's heinous crime, please come forward today," said Integrated Homicide Investigation Team spokesperson Cpl. Frank Jang, at a press conference Friday.

"Our investigators are ready to speak with you, anytime."

Jang said a dark-coloured vehicle was seen quickly leaving the area immediately after the shooting. He said investigators are hoping drivers who may have driven past the scene will volunteer dashcam video to help the investigation.

"You could be holding very key evidence for us," he said.

Police are also appealing for dashcam video from people driving past the 66000 block of 238th Street in Langley, where a gray Infiniti sedan was found on fire around the same time.

Investigators believe the victim was targeted, Jang said, and that the killing is connected to ongoing gang conflict in the Lower Mainland.

Connection to gang members​

Jang refused to identify the victim because officers don't believe it would further the investigation.

He did say the victim did not have a history of negative interactions with police but he was known to associate with people involved in Lower Mainland gang conflict.

"It's really a warning to those that are still living and are associating with those that are involved in this high-risk lifestyle," Jang said.

Police have notified the victim's family of his death.

"This was a very brazen shooting in a well-populated public area of Abbotsford," Jang said. "We are very fortunate that no one else beside our victim was harmed by this incident."

Anyone with information about this incident should call the IHIT Tip Line at 1-877-551-4448 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.