A Burnaby man is facing an attempted murder charge for his involvement in a gang-related shooting in Richmond last summer.
The accused is one of two men investigators say plotted to kill another man. Both of the accused and the victim are well-known gang associates, according to a media release from the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C.
The alleged shooting happened on Friday, Aug. 21, 2015, at Dover Park in Richmond. Late that evening, police were called to a gas station in the area after reports of shots fired. At the scene, they found one man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital and treated for the injuries, which weren’t life threatening.
The victim was uncooperative with authorities, and B.C.’s gang police were called in to lead the investigation with the assistance of the Richmond RCMP and Vancouver Police Department.
Four months later, investigators secured charges against two men they believe met with the victim on the night of the shooting. That meeting was part of a conspiracy to commit murder, police say.
“These two offenders showed a complete disregard for public safety by discharging a firearm in a populated residential area and have now been charged,” said Kevin Hackett, chief officer with B.C.’s gang police, in the release. “The combination of a quick response by the Richmond RCMP and a thorough investigation led by the (Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit) was integral in successfully getting charges approved against the two men involved in this shooting. We remain committed to doing everything possible in bringing charges against the most violent gang offenders in the province.”
Both Burnaby resident Sahand Askari and Thomas Duong, 20, of Richmond, have been charged with one count of attempted murder and one count of using a restricted firearm and discharging a firearm with intent.
Askari is not in custody. Police believe he is outside of Canada, but his exact whereabouts are unknown.
Duong is in custody for an unrelated matter.
