Ping Shun Ao identified as bystander killed in Abbotsford shooting
"We are in shock. We can't believe he's gone"
A 74-year-old man, who was hit and killed Wednesday night by a bullet meant for someone else, has been identified as Ping Sun Ao of Abbotsford.
His family is having a hard time coming to grips with the elderly man's sudden death.
"We're all still in shock", said his granddaughter, who didn't want to be identified. "We can't believe he's gone."
The Abbotsford senior was struck by a stray bullet during the targeted drive-by shooting of his neighbour's house.
Police blame the shooting on an escalation in an ongoing feud between two groups. Some of the individuals involved do have drug gang connections according to Abbotsford Police Const.Ian MacDonald.
No arrests have been made.
It appears Ping — an avid gardener — may have been working in his backyard when he was shot.
Abbotsford Mayor Harry Braun says police know most of the young people involved in the feud, and that some of them have "a rap sheet as long as your arm".
He's says police are having a hard time gathering evidence, and want parents to step up. Braun plans to make a personal appeal for help at a public forum next week.
"Even if I have to beg some of the parents (who) know their children are involved in things that are not good..." Braun told CBC.
"We've had contact with (the parents), and they deny and stonewall. They have to take some ownership of this in their own homes."
The forum will be held at the Abbotsford Arts Centre at 7 p.m. PT, Thursday, September 10th.