B.C. father, foster son charged in ’08 shooting

Attack linked to earlier fraud attempt

A B.C. man and his foster son have been charged with attempted murder after a Calgary man was shot five years ago in what police say was retaliation for intervening in a bid to defraud his elderly parents.

On Sept. 14, 2008, the victim, then 46 years old, was driving alone in the 100 block of Scenic Acres N.W. to give his daughter’s friend a ride to gymnastics.

As he got out of his car shortly before 8:30 a.m., he was shot in the midsection by someone in a minivan that pulled up beside him, said Staff Sgt. Harv Davies.

The culprits “ambushed him,” Davies said. “They caught him completely by surprise.”

The man managed to make his way to a nearby home where the resident called 911. He was taken to hospital with life-threatening abdominal injuries. He has since recovered, though he still feels effects from those injuries, Davies said.

Investigators said the married father was not known to police but had been targeted in the attack over a civil matter.

“One of our accused knew the victim’s elderly parents, who lived in the Lower Mainland as well,” Davies said. “We believe he was using that relationship to his advantage to defraud them of money.”

When the shooting victim discovered what happened, he went to the civil courts and put a stop to the fraud, Davies said, adding that’s what police believe is the motive behind the shooting.

He said it took five years to lay charges because, in the beginning, there was not enough for the Crown to support charges of attempted murder, despite a thorough investigation.

Working with partner agencies in B.C., city police re-examined the case and came up with a new investigative strategy, which led to further evidence, Davies said, though he declined to provide details.

Finally, on June 23, Calgary police arrested one man without incident in Langley, B.C., with the help of Vancouver police.

Shortly after, a second man was arrested without incident in Surrey, B.C., with the help of Surrey RCMP.

Both suspects were brought to Calgary.

Nicholas Orestus Paul Anastassiades, 44, of Surrey, B.C., and Devan Kayle Rene Cunliffe, 27, of Vancouver, B.C., were each charged with one count of attempted murder.

They were initially considered persons of interest in the case. Police won’t reveal who is accused of firing the shot.

The men are expected to appear in court in Calgary on Aug. 2.