Coquitlam high school mourns loss of teen caught in crossfire

A Metro Vancouver high school is mourning the loss of one of its own after a boy hit by a stray bullet during a weekend shooting. Alfred Wong was riding in the backseat of his parents’ car when gunshots rang out on a busy Vancouver street Saturday evening. Two people died of their injuries: the 15-yearold Coquitlam high school student and a 23-year-old believed to have been the target. Police believe the latter took part in the shootout. A third person, a 30-year-old bystander from Vancouver, suffered only minor injuries and was treated at the scene then released. Alfred, who attended Pinetree Secondary School in Coquitlam, B.C., was identified to CTV News on Tuesday as students and staff struggled to come to terms with his sudden and senseless death. The school district said it is providing support services to those affected by the tragedy. The teen was part of a youth group at the Coquitlam Christ Church of China, according to another member who posted to social media asking for prayers. Alfred was also a member of the New Westminster Hyack Swim Club, and his coaches had to inform his teammates of his death at a practice Monday night.“They were shocked,” coach Frici Laszlo told CTV, saying that he and his friends had big plans for their future. “Some of them cried. Some of them were speechless. Some of them asked for a little break.” The death also affected those who didn’t know Alfred personally, including the mayor of Coquitlam.“This hurts us all. A death like this hurts every member of our community,” Richard Stewart said. “And when it’s such an innocent life, not part of the gangland surroundings that caused the gunfight, it makes it even worse.” The 23-year-old who also died as a result of the shooting was identified by police as Vancouver resident Kevin Whiteside. Police said he was known to them, armed on Saturday night and had a criminal record that included charges of assault with a weapon and uttering threats. None of the allegations have been proven in court and the investigation is in its early stages. In a message to CTV, his sister described him as “kind, loving and protective. “He doesn’t deserve what happened to him and he doesn’t deserve to have his name all over the news like he’s a horrible criminal,” she said. The case was immediately made a top priority for police, who assigned more than 50 officers to the investigation. “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, were reprehensible, and there’s no justification for this type of senseless violence in this city,” Vancouver Police Chief Const. Adam Palmer said Monday. Investigators are still searching for a suspect or suspects in the case and are appealing for witnesses to come forward. In particular, anyone with video of the shooting or aftermath is asked to contact police. Someone who works at a nearby business told CTV News their surveillance camera captured an armed man with a bandana over his face following behind a group of people.