IHIT identifies victim of fatal highway shooting in Burnaby, B.C.
B.C.'s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified the victim of a fatal Saturday shooting that also left another man injured.
Mounties say the driver of a vehicle called 911 around 2:30 p.m. PT Saturday after his vehicle was targeted by a shooting, with the passenger dying in the incident.
Homicide investigators say the victim was 18-year-old Meysam Zaki. The driver, who was rushed to hospital with minor injuries, has not been identified yet.
"Any associates of Mr. Zaki or the second victim are urged to speak with police. IHIT is committed to bring justice for this young man's family," said Sgt. Timothy Pierotti in a release.
IHIT says the shooters were likely in a black Mercedes SUV. At around 4:30 p.m., they say the vehicle was found on fire on Eastlawn Drive in Burnaby.
"It's believed the shooting is tied to the Lower Mainland Gang Conflict," said Cpl. Michael Kalanj in a statement on Saturday, adding there is no risk to the public at this time.
Police are working to determine where the shooting took place and how far the two victims travelled in their vehicle before the driver decided to pull over.
The Highway 1 westbound Kensington exit was closed for a few hours as police gathered evidence and investigate what happened.
Anyone with information relating to the shooting is asked to contact IHIT at 1-877 551-4448 or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Anyone who was driving west on Highway 1 in Burnaby between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, recording dashcam video, is also asked to share the footage with IHIT.