Vancouver police chief Adam Palmer speaks at a press conference Monday about the gang shooting that led to the death of a 15-year-old Coquitlam boy.
Politicians from all levels of government are reaching out to the Coquitlam family whose 15-year-old son died Monday from injuries sustained in a weekend gang shootout.
According to Vancouver Police Department, the family was driving home when the shooting happened. The teenage boy was a passenger in a vehicle that was travelling near East Broadway and Ontario Street around 9:15 p.m. The car was caught in the crossfire between assailants.
B.C. Coroner spokesperson Andy Watson confirmed the boy, who has been identified as Alfred Wong, died of his injuries Monday.
He had been on life support, according to police.
The tragic incident sent shockwaves around the community and the country, resulting in a huge outpouring of support on social media.
Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart said he'd contacted the family through their church to provide condolences and offers of assistance.
“We will try to connect them if they haven’t already been connected,” said Stewart, who said he also contacted Coquitlam RCMP Victim Services on the family’s behalf because it provides support that is invaluable for people who are victims of criminal acts.
“Whenever a tragedy happens, I have seen personally the work that victim services does and it’s invaluable," Stewart told The Tri-City News. "They lend a sympathetic ear and provide guidance to try to alleviate confusion over what happens next but also the interactions with the justice system.”
Stewart said he plans to attend the memorial that is reportedly being planned by the family’s church, Coquitlam Christ Church of China, depending on the timing and if it is open to the public.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier John Horgan, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Coquitlam Burke Mountain MLA Joan Isaacs are among those speaking out about the tragedy via social media or public statements. Their comments reflect the sadness VPD Chief Const. Adam Palmer expressed in a press conference Monday, when he said the death of the School District 43 student was “heartbreaking.”
“What a tragic, terrible this event this is,” Palmer told reporters Monday, noting that the department, is putting all of its efforts into finding whoever is responsible, assigning a team of 50 officers to the case. “My heart goes out to the family of the 15-year-old boy. Now they are grieving for their son.”
On Twitter, MLA Isaacs wrote: “As a mom of two sons, my heart is broken by this tragic news. My most sincere condolences to his family and @sd43bc friends and teachers.”
In a statement, Vancouver's mayor said: “This news is incredibly painful and it angers me that this attack — an act of senseless violence — has taken the life of an innocent victim. This tragic situation happens very rarely in Vancouver, so it’s hard to believe it could take place.”
In a tweet, Prime Minister Trudeau wrote: “No parent should ever have to go through something like this. My deepest condolences to the family of the young boy who was killed.”
Also on Twitter, Premier John Horgan wrote: “My heart goes out to family & friends of the innocent boy caught up in the violence of the Vancouver shooting Saturday. If you know anything that could help catch those responsible please contact @VancouverPD.”
dstrandberg@tricitynews.com
— with files from Vancouver Courier
