‘WE ARE DEVASTATED’
15-year-old Coquitlam student Alfred Wong, killed in gang crossfire in Vancouver, remembered as a polite, respectful, church-going boy with a bright future
The 15-year-old caught in the crossfire of a shooting along a busy Vancouver street Saturday night was remembered by those who knew him as a polite, respectful, church-going boy with a bright future.
Alfred Wong was struck by a stray bullet while riding in his parents’ car after a family night out. He died in hospital Monday after his family made the decision to take him off life support.
The Pinetree Secondary School student was a gifted student, according to one account posted on social media. He liked basketball and was a competitive swimmer and a volunteer lifeguard, said Frici Laszlo, a head coach for the Hyack Swim Club.
“He was an amazing kid,” said Laszlo, who had known Wong for
“He was social, very nice and had so much going for him.” — Frici Laszlo
more than five years. “He was social, very nice and had so much going for him.”
On Sunday, Laszlo heard from Wong’s family that the teen had been shot. The next day it fell to Laszlo to explain to Wong’s teammates why the young man was absent.
“They were shocked when I let them know what happened. It was very emotional for me as well as a parent,” he said, adding that anyone could have been in Wong’s place at the time.
“Hopefully we see less acts of violence and someone comes forward to (meet) justice.”
Mark Bottrill, the director of swimming at the club, said Wong was well liked by his teammates, who continued to struggle to understand the tragic shooting. “Our thoughts are with Alfred’s family in such a difficult time,” he said.
Also killed in the brazen shooting on Broadway and Ontario streets was one of the shooters, a low-level, 23-year-old drug dealer named Kevin Whiteside.
A third person, a Vancouver man in his 30s, was injured. He was treated at the scene and released.
Wong’s family is a member of the Coquitlam Christ Church of China, which wrote a brief statement Tuesday about Wong’s death.
“We are devastated and saddened over his loss, and our hearts ache with his family. We will continue to look to our Lord Jesus for comfort during this tragedy,” read a post on the church’s Facebook page.
News of the death spread to other worship groups Tuesday. The Common Place Neighbourhood Church said it would “join in prayer for the Coquitlam family who lost their young son in the midst of senseless violence.”
Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart extended his condolences to Wong’s family.
“Alfred was the unfortunate innocent victim of gangland violence that also claimed the life of the criminal target of the gunfire,” he wrote on Facebook.
“The father in me is heartbroken over the loss that this family now faces. Our hearts and our prayers are with the family, the friends, the loved ones of young Alfred.”
Pinetree Secondary principal Jeremy Clarke said the school district’s critical response team has been providing services to those who are affected. “We are doing everything we can to support students if they need support.”
Gregor Robertson, the mayor of Vancouver, and B.C. Premier John Horgan also spoke to the tragedy.
“My heart goes out to his family and friends in this dark time and I offer my deepest condolences for their loss,” Robertson wrote on Twitter.
Horgan said those responsible for what he termed a “heinous” crime would be brought to justice.
“As a parent I know all British Columbians are angry and saddened at the loss of an innocent life in gang violence in the Lower Mainland and I know that I speak for all British Columbians when I say that no stone should be left unturned,” he told reporters in Victoria.
Vancouver police said they were devoting all available resources to this case. No arrests have been made. On Tuesday, investigators again appealed to members of the public who may have captured footage of the incident or its aftermath on their cellphones or dashcams to call police at 604-717-2500.
Whiteside’s criminal past dates to 2013. Police say there was at least one other shooter, but it isn’t yet known who fired the bullet that hit Wong.