Two men gunned down in targeted hit in West Vancouver
Two men gunned down in targeted hit in West Vancouver
BY KIM BOLAN , VANCOUVER SUNSEPTEMBER 15, 2009 8:39 PM
WEST VANCOUVER — Two young men were walking down Keith Road in West Vancouver today when they were sprayed with gunfire from a passing car.
The two immediately fell to the ground as the car raced from the scene, according to people in the area.
The men appeared to be in very serious condition and were rushed to hospital.
Police believe the shooting was targeted and had all the earmarks of a gangland hit.
They told reporters on site that both victims are expected to survive.
Dog teams were combing the area for evidence.
No arrests have been made.
Wayne Koski, who lives in Spuraway Gardens at 235 Keith Road, told The Vancouver Sun: “I heard three shots at 4:38 — precisely. I knew they were gunshots, just by the sound.”
Koski said he ventured out to see the crime scene but saw helicopters and airplances flying overhead. “I’m shocked that it’s happened in this quiet neighborhood.”
Streets around a condo complex at 235 Keith Road are closed to traffic, creating gridlock in the area, according to Global BC, which has a reporter on the scene and helicopter circling the air.
Traffic in the area is a nightmare at this time, Global BC said.
The Lions Gate bridge is shut down and traffic on the Upper Levels highway is backed up for miles as police look for suspects, Global reported.
“Traffic is stretching as far as the eye can see,” Global BC reported.
Sgt. Shinder Kirk, of the Integrated Gang Task Force, said gangland violence can erupt anywhere regardless of the affluence of a community.
“The bottom line is that no community is safe regardless of where it might be in the province,” Kirk said.
B.C. has seen a huge increase in murders over the last two years, mostly due to gang activity.
The rate went up by 25 per cent in 2008 to 117 from 88 in 2007. The numbers are even higher so far this year.
Inspite of the increase, Solicitor General Kash Heed said earlier the anti-gang strategy was having an impact.
“In February, the premier announced our seven-point strategy to tackle gang violence, including more police, more prosecutors and more jails,” Heed said.
“Over the past number of months, 180 gang members and 155 gang associates have been arrested and charged with almost 800 serious offences. But we’re not only reacting to gang violence, we are trying to suppress it through proactive tactics like targeted enforcement and working with community partners to keep young people out of gangs.”
The Vancouver Sun
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/gunned+down+targeted+West+Vancouver/1997535/story.html
