An 85-year-old man found dead in his Burnaby home is believed to be an innocent victim who was struck by a stray bullet, according to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
The body of Chang Yong Cho was found by police in his apartment in the 7400 block of Kingsway on the afternoon of Aug. 30.
Police believe the bullet that killed him was fired during a “shots fired” incident that took place just after 1:30 a.m. one block away near 18th Avenue and Humphries Avenue.
A suspect vehicle fled the area before police arrived and an initial investigation did not find any injured victims, said IHIT in a statement.
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Burnaby RCMP went to Cho’s home nearly 15 hours after the shooting after receiving a request for a well-being check.
“This is a heartbreaking and tragic loss of life,” said IHIT Sgt. Freda Fong. “Mr. Cho was simply in his home when his life was suddenly taken, leaving behind a grieving family and loved ones.”
Fong said police have identified a group of youths believed to have been involved.
“We have been making efforts to locate the youth and to identify their involvement. We are appealing to their parents and the youth to come forward and cooperate with the investigation,” she said.
Investigators believe a personal dispute was behind the gunfire, and that it was not gang- or drug-related.
Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Mike Kalanj described Cho’s killing as “every first responder’s nightmare.”
“Every indication is he was a lovely individual and a great person in the community,” said Kalanj. “Know that we are doing everything we can for Mr. Cho and Mr. Cho’s family.”
Investigators are appealing for anyone who witnessed the shooting, or who has dashcam or other video footage from the area near 18th Avenue and Humphries Avenue between 12:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Aug. 30, to contact IHIT.
