IHIT identifies victim of fatal Highway 1 shooting in Burnaby, B.C.
Driver called 911 to report his passenger had been shot dead, police say
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified the victim of a fatal shooting on Highway 1 in Burnaby, B.C., on Saturday that left another man injured.
Mounties said police responded to a report of a shooting near the Kensington overpass around 2:30 p.m. PT Saturday. The caller was the driver of the vehicle, who said his passenger had died in the shooting, RCMP said.
Homicide investigators later identified the victim as 18-year-old Meysam Zaki. The driver, who was taken to hospital with minor injuries, has not been named.
"Any associates of Mr. Zaki or the second victim are urged to speak with police. IHIT is committed to bring justice for this young man's family," said Sgt. Timothy Pierotti in a release.
IHIT said in a statement it believed the shooters were in a black Mercedes SUV. What's believed to be the suspect vehicle was found on fire on Eastlawn Drive in Burnaby, near Beecher Park, around 4:30 p.m.
"It's believed the shooting is tied to the Lower Mainland gang conflict," said Cpl. Michael Kalanj in a statement on Saturday, adding there is no risk to the public at this time.
The westbound Kensington exit of Highway 1 was closed for a few hours as police gathered evidence and investigated what happened.
Anyone with information relating to the shooting is asked to contact IHIT at 1-877 551-4448 or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Anyone who was driving west on Highway 1 in Burnaby between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, or who was in the area of Beecher Park between noon and 5 p.m., and who may have dashcam video, is also asked to contact IHIT.