Slain gang member was targeted before

Police need tougher legislation to seize the vehicles used by gang members, the head of the Calgary Police Association says following two gang-style shootings in one week.

A man found dead after a drive-by shooting on the weekend was identified by Calgary police on Monday as Yee Sung (Roger) Chin, 23.

'There's a long-standing grudge between two distinct groups of people in our city that has led to numerous acts of violence over the last number of years and this is just one more act of violence in that ongoing feud.' — Insp. Shaun Gissing

Chin, who police said was known to the gang unit, was shot to death as he drove down the 5400 block of Centre Street North on Saturday night in his SUV. The bullet-riddled vehicle crashed into a tree.

"We've been aware for quite some time that we have two groups within our city that are willing to shoot each other basically on sight," said Insp. Shaun Gissing of the organized crime section, who called Chin the victim of a war between two factions that used belong to the same gang.

"There's a long-standing grudge between two distinct groups of people in our city that has led to numerous acts of violence over the last number of years and this is just one more act of violence in that ongoing feud."

Sources told CBC News that Chin was targeted in February when he and another man were shot several times outside a northeast gas station. At the time, police said the attack was part of a gang war that appeared to be escalating.

Change legislation, says police union

"We never like to see violence escalate but people who live in a gang lifestyle can expect that these will be the outcome, or these will be the prospects of gang life," said John Dooks, head of the Calgary Police Association.

On Wednesday, two men were injured after a shooting in southwest Calgary, which left more than a dozen shell casings littering the road. Police said one of the victims was known to their gang unit.

Dooks said officers can help limit violence if provincial laws are created to allow them to seize vehicles used by gang members.

"If you take away their cars, take away their driver's licence so that they have to walk around, you take away their ability to access weapons. You're making it tougher for them," he said.

Police are currently allowed to seize a vehicle only if they can prove that drugs or weapons found in the vehicle belong to the driver, Dooks said.

Kent Hehr, Liberal MLA for Calgary-Buffalo, said in April he plans to introduce a private member's bill to allow police to seize vehicles if firearms are found inside that aren't registered to the driver or passengers.