The recent rash of gang violence in the Lower Mainland has continued to escalate with the shooting of a man – the sixth in a week – outside a Kitsilano supermarket.
The 28-year-old victim, who is expected to recover, was rushed to hospital after being found shot behind the IGA near Broadway and Arbutus Street late Sunday night.
Vancouver police Const. Jana McGuinness said Monday the man is in stable condition in hospital and is not co-operating with police.
“We believe this was a targeted shooting,” she said. “It has the earmarks of a gang shooting.”
McGuinness said police are “very concerned” with the recent spate of targeted shootings. Four of the six men shot in the past week were killed.
“It seems a lot of things are happening in quick succession around the Lower Mainland. There is a sense of urgency to get to the bottom of these crimes and get people behind bars.”
She added that investigations into gang violence are complex and lengthy.
“We’ve got unco-operative victims and in many cases unco-operative witnesses and family members. We are making headway and we are making arrests.”
McGuinness said police aren’t certain if any of the recent shootings are linked to a growing gang war, or if they are isolated incidents.
“Whenever there’s a major incident in our city, we share that information with (other departments),” she said. “All the agencies are working together.”
