Neighbours mourn ‘senseless’ killing
Shooting of beloved senior part of continuing conflict between rival youth gangs
Abbotsford residents Satvir and Aman Gill didn’t know slain senior Ping Shun Ao, who caught a stray bullet Wednesday evening intended for someone next door.
But the couple felt compelled Friday to stop by the house on Promontory Court that Ao shared with his extended family to drop off flowers.
The card on the flowers said only “Deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. From: Citizen of Abbotsford.”
Satvir Gill said the conflict between two groups of youths that resulted in the fatal shooting of Ao is “senseless.”
“It is absolutely stupid. And now you’ve got an innocent grandfather who was killed and shouldn’t be. And these guys are still on the street … walking around, riding around, doing what they’re doing. It’s not right,” he said.
Both he and Aman wanted Ao’s family to know the community is grieving with them.
“This needs to stop and the family needs to know they are supported by everybody so flowers is just a small token,” Satvir Gill said.
Aman said Abbotsford is a strong community and will get through this crisis.
“We’ve been here for a number of years,” she said. “We trust in our city.”
Ao’s devastated daughter-inlaw could barely speak through her tears Friday.
“He was my father- in- law. He was very nice,” she told The Vancouver Sun before breaking down completely.
The 74-year-old was often seen outside the family home, sometimes taking a walk to the mailboxes down the street or playing with his grandchildren.
The targeted house next to Ao’s has at least five security cameras visible.
There were several bullet holes visible in the house Friday, which police have attended at least six times in recent months.
There was also a single bullet hole circled in the fence of the house next door, where Ao had been standing when he was killed at about 7:15 p.m. Wednesday.
No one answered at the targeted home Friday. Parmvir Chahil, a 19-year-old believed to be involved in the ongoing conflict, resides there.
He was charged in July with uttering threats and possessing a weapon for dangerous purposes and is due in Abbotsford Provincial Court Sept. 10.
Police have not made any arrests in Ao’s murder. They are appealing to the public for information, as well as reviewing surveillance footage.
Abbotsford Police Const. Ian MacDonald said the APD has also set up a special gang enforcement team specifically for the Townline Hill area.
The team will focus on those individuals involved in the conflict that has resulted in more than 60 incidents over the last 18 months, including six shootings, a serious stabbing and two murders.
Chahil is not the only person linked to the conflict who is facing charges.
The Sun has learned that Jesse Thompson, another 19-yearold, was charged last week with three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was released on $1,000 bail and is due back in Abbotsford Provincial Court on Sept. 28.