85-Year-Old Burnaby Man Killed by Stray Bullet Inside His Home, IHIT Says
Subhadarshi Tripathy
9/9/20262 min read
An 85-year-old Burnaby man found dead inside his apartment is believed to have been an innocent victim struck by a stray bullet fired during a shooting one block away.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team identified the victim as Chang Yong Cho.
His body was discovered by police on the afternoon of Aug. 30 inside his home in the 7400 block of Kingsway.
Investigators believe the fatal bullet came from a shooting that happened shortly after 1:30 a.m. that same day near 18th Avenue and Humphries Avenue.
Suspect Vehicle Fled Before Police Arrived
IHIT said a suspect vehicle left the area before officers arrived at the scene of the original shooting.
An initial police search did not locate any injured victims.
Nearly 15 hours later, Burnaby RCMP were asked to conduct a well-being check at Cho’s apartment.
Officers entered the home and found him dead.
“This is a heartbreaking and tragic loss of life,” said IHIT Sgt. Freda Fong.
“Mr. Cho was simply in his home when his life was suddenly taken, leaving behind a grieving family and loved ones.”
Police Looking at Group of Youths
Fong said investigators have identified a group of young people they believe may have been involved in the shooting.
“We have been making efforts to locate the youth and to identify their involvement,” she said.
“We are appealing to their parents and the youth to come forward and cooperate with the investigation.”
Police believe the gunfire stemmed from a personal dispute.
Investigators do not believe the incident was connected to gangs or drugs.
RCMP Call Death a First Responder’s ‘Nightmare’
Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Mike Kalanj described Cho’s death as “every first responder’s nightmare.”
“Every indication is he was a lovely individual and a great person in the community,” Kalanj said.
“Know that we are doing everything we can for Mr. Cho and Mr. Cho’s family.”
Investigators Seek Witnesses and Video
IHIT is asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has relevant dashcam, surveillance or cellphone video to contact investigators.
Police are specifically seeking footage from the area around 18th Avenue and Humphries Avenue between 12:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Aug. 30.
The homicide investigation remains ongoing as police work to identify everyone involved in the original shooting and determine exactly how the stray bullet entered Cho’s home.
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