Two charged in shooting near Richmond park
Two Metro Vancouver men have been charged with attempted murder following a shooting spree in August involving a known gangster in Richmond’s Dover Park area.
A man with gang ties was found with multiple gunshot wounds at a gas station near the park Aug. 21.
He was rushed to hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries.
The case was turned over to the gang unit. On Monday, investigators with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) announced charges.
One man — Thomas Duong, 20, of Richmond — is in custody on an unrelated matter, while the other suspect, Sahand Askari, 31, of Burnaby, is at large and believed to be outside Canada.
Askari is now the subject of an international manhunt.
Both men are charged with attempted murder while using a restricted firearm and discharging a firearm with intent.
“Upon further investigation into this shooting it was uncovered that the victim went to Dover Park to meet with the alleged suspects,” Const. Jordan McLellan said at a news conference.
Investigators said they looked into the activities of a well-known group of gang associates, with the help of Richmond RCMP and the Vancouver Police Department.
“These two offenders showed a complete disregard for public safety by discharging a firearm in a populated residential area and have now been charged,” CFSEU Chief Officer Kevin Hackett said in a statement.
“We remain committed to doing everything possible in bringing charges against the most violent gang offenders in the province.”