Victim identified in deadly afternoon shooting at Vancouver International Airport
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RCMP have identified the victim of a fatal shooting at Vancouver International Airport on Sunday as a longtime gang associate who was the subject of a rare public warning more than three years ago.
Karman Grewal, 28, was shot and killed outside the airport's departures terminal in front of several witnesses around 3 p.m. PT.
He was well known to police, officers said Monday, and his death is believed to be related to the ongoing gang conflict in B.C.'s Lower Mainland. More than 10 people have been shot since mid-April.
"As members of the public, you are undoubtedly and deservedly concerned … I can advise you that we are working around the clock in both overt and covert investigations to hit these gangsters at every possible turn," said RCMP Asst. Comm. Dwayne McDonald.
RCMP faced a series of questions Monday as to how the suspects escaped the airport, known as YVR.
The airport is secluded on an island in Richmond, B.C., with a dedicated police and security presence. The major routes and bridges off the island were shut down after the shooting, but the suspects were able to get away.
Police intercepted the getaway vehicle — described as a red or maroon Honda Pilot — but suspects shot at the responding officers. They did not fire back or chase the suspects out of concern someone in the area might get hurt, officials said
That airport is immediately accessible to a majority of thoroughfares. When criminals commit crime, they don't play by the rules," said McDonald.
"There's people in cars, everywhere," the officer continued. "Unlike the movies, when bullets start to fly, they eventually stop somewhere … we can't take that chance to allow a gun battle to rage through the street.
Grewal had previously been targeted in a gang-related shooting. RCMP released his photo, along with those of four other men, after a series of shootings in 2017. Officers said the men were still targets and a threat to public safety, as they had not co-operated with investigators.
"If someone remains in the gang lifestyle, it stops in only one of two ways: jail or death. It's as simple as that," said McDonald.
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