A Langley man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a Vancouver shooting July 26, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said Aug. 23.
Officers were called to East 63rd Avenue and Inverness Street that evening for reports that two men had been shot in a vehicle, which then collided with two other vehicles.
Hitkaran Johal, 25, died at the scene. A second man was taken to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators from VPD’s Major Crime Section identified 27-year-old Rylee Shipley as a suspect.
He was arrested on Aug. 21 in Alberta with assistance from the Calgary Police Service and the Alberta RCMP, the VPD said.
Now, the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count each of first-degree murder, attempted murder with a firearm, and aggravated assault against Shipley.
Court records show Shipley has a criminal record with convictions including assaulting a police officer, possession for the purpose of trafficking, and flight from police.
At the time of the incident, police said a vehicle was set on fire near East 63rd Avenue and Prince Edward Street shortly after the shooting.
The VPD have confirmed they believe the car is connected to the homicide.
Investigators are asking anyone with information who has not yet come forward to call the VPD Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500.
