VANCOUVER — A first-degree murder charge has been laid in what Vancouver police say was a "shocking and unnerving" shooting in a busy city neighbourhood last week.
The victim, 31-year-old Harpreet Singh Dhaliwal of Abbotsford, B.C., was shot and killed outside a popular restaurant last Saturday.
On top of the murder charge, 51-year-old Francois Gauthier is also accused of possession of a loaded prohibited weapon.
Gauthier remains in custody until his next court appearance.
Police say no one else was hurt in the targeted shooting, but safety was at risk for others in the public location.
There have been three similar targeted attacks in Metro Vancouver area within a week and gang enforcement officers say the attacks show a disturbing trend of happening during daylight hours in busy areas full of families.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2020.
The Canadian Press
