For the second time in a week, Mounties are investigating a targeted shooting in North Burnaby with ties to organized crime.
The latest shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. Thursday after a vehicle was shot up in an underground parking lot in the 2000 block of Rosser Avenue.
The person inside the vehicle was uninjured, but police noted the shooting appeared targeted.
Burnaby RCMP confirmed the victim is known to police and affiliated with an organized crime group that was not identified.
The incident is under investigation and no suspects have been arrested.
The most recent shooting comes just two days after a 44-year-old was shot in the head while he was driving his car in the 6000 block of Broadway. Police said the victim in that case was also affiliated with an organized crime group.
Earlier this month, a Burnaby resident and high-profile member of the Hells Angels was killed in Langley.
Despite the recent spate of violence, Mounties were reluctant to suggest the city is in the middle of a gang war.
“Anytime people are involved in this type of crime start shooting at each other, it’s cause for concern, but we don’t believe the incidents that have occurred elsewhere in the Lower Mainland are connected,” said Burnaby RCMP Staff Sgt. Maj. John Buis.
He also noted police are doing the utmost to solve the recent crimes, including working with other police agencies in the Lower Mainland including the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, the province’s anti-gang agency.
“It’s obvious that it’s very dangerous for everybody, and we’re very concerned about that,” Buis said. “What I can tell you is these incidents don’t take place that often.”
He said the local detachment isn’t bringing in any extra resources in light of the two shootings, adding the local force has the help of other police agencies.
Meanwhile, Mounties are asking any witnesses who have information about Thursday’s shooting to call the Burnaby RCMP’s investigative support team at 604-294-7922.
Before police arrived, a vehicle was seen fleeing the scene, but there was no description.
