North Vancouver RCMP say a shooting in the Grand Boulevard neighbourhood Monday afternoon appears to have been targeted.
Police received multiple 911 calls just after 3:30 p.m. when neighbours on the 800 block of East 12th Street heard a series of gunshots.
“We got there and there was a male on the road by his vehicle with gunshot wounds,” said Cpl. Richard De Jong, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman. “It was reported that a black Nissan sedan was seen speeding away from the crime scene.”
Paramedics rushed the victim, a 22-year-old North Vancouver man, to Lions Gate Hospital where, on Tuesday, he was in serious but stable condition, according to De Jong. He is expected to survive.
“He has police security 24-7,” De Jong said. “For public safety and his safety.”
While the investigation was in its early hours, police set up a perimeter with officers posted at both North Shore bridge crossings but there was no sign of the Nissan.
The victim is known to investigators. North Vancouver RCMP are working with other police agencies in the Lower Mainland, including the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, the Lower Mainland’s anti-gang squad.
“We’d like to give reassurance to the public that this appears to be a targeted shooting,” De Jong said. “It’s unsettling. It’s rare for North Van to experience this (but) there is no threat to public safety. Police are taking this seriously and we have our best investigative service section on it.”
There was a fatal gang hit in Surrey about one hour earlier, De Jong noted, but early indications are that the two victims are not known to each other.
“The motive is still under investigation. It’s still early days. He needs to be interviewed, of course,” he said.
In the meantime, police are asking the public to keep an eye out for the black Nissan, which likely has tinted windows.
“We are appealing to the public for any witnesses. If anybody sees that vehicle or knows who did the shooting, we’re taking it very seriously,” De Jong said. “If you see it parked somewhere or ditched somewhere or it looks suspicious, call us.”
On Tuesday afternoon, police released a surveillance image of what they believe to be the suspect vehicle.
Twelfth Street resident Elizabeth Arcari said the neighbours reported hearing six shots fired in two bursts of three. Her daughter was just stepping out when the police arrived on scene and was told by an officer to leave the area quickly.
The victim lives with his family, according to neighbours. “He’s a nice young guy – very pleasant,” said Dave Wagner, who lives up the street. “We do see him in passing. He’s always been very polite and says ‘Hi.’”
Wagner said he doesn’t believe the neighbourhood will have any lasting anxiety from the shooting. “That stuff can happen in any town, in any province,” he said.
Arcari’s husband Luigi said he hopes to see someone arrested soon.
“Find the truth. Find out what’s going on. Find out what the trouble is,” he said.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact the North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).
