Teen caught in crossfire dies

VANCOUVER — Vancouver police have assigned more than 50 officers to the investigation of a brazen gunfight that killed a 15-year-old boy after he was struck by a bullet while passing in a vehicle with his family.

BC Coroners Service spokesman Andy Watson confirmed the teen died Monday following the shooting on Saturday evening.

A 23-year-old man who was the target of the attack has died in hospital, Chief Const. Adam Palmer said.

The boy was with his parents in the vehicle when he was struck as shots were fired between at least two people, Palmer told a news conference earlier Monday, adding he was heartbroken that the boy wasn't expected to survive.

“People often ask me as chief of police what keeps me up at night. I tell them nothing specifically because Vancouver is a safe city ... . But this is the type of call that I absolutely dread. It's rare in Vancouver for an innocent victim to be caught up in this type of violence.”

Palmer said the shooting, which he related to gang activity, showed a disregard for the safety of others.

“But every time criminals decide to exchange gunfire on our streets they endanger the lives of everybody around them. The events of Saturday night were reckless, reprehensible and there’s no justification for this type of senseless violence in our city,” he said.

The teen was heading home to Coquitlam with his parents, Palmer said.

“They were having a normal Saturday night, evening out with family, and now they are grieving for their son,” he said.

“My message to the family is this: We will not ever be able to fully comprehend your grief. But the Vancouver Police Department will do whatever it takes to seek justice for your son.”

Palmer identified the man who died as Kevin Whiteside and said he was known to police.

Other suspects have not been identified but Palmer said more than 50 officers are working on the case.

A man in his 30s who was driving by was also injured. He was treated at the scene.

Police are reviewing video and speaking with witnesses to determine how many people were wielding weapons, Palmer said.

Premier John Horgan made an appeal for people to contact police if they know anything that might help the investigation.

“My heart goes out to family and friends of the innocent boy caught up in the violence of the Vancouver shooting Saturday,” he said on Twitter.