THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified Wednesday’s Burnaby homicide victim as Connor Sheriff, 19 in an effort to advance their investigation.

Sheriff was known to police and is believed to have had connections to the drug trade, police said.

“This was a targeted and brazen shooting in a high-traffic area,” said Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT on Thursday. “Those involved displayed a complete disregard for public safety.”

On Wednesday, November 5 just after 6:30 p.m., Burnaby RCMP responded to calls of a shooting near McKay Avenue and Kingsborough Street. When police arrived on scene, they located a male suffering from life-threatening injuries. Despite life-saving efforts, the man did not survive.

Shortly after, officers responded to reports of a vehicle fire in the area of Kingsway and Inman Avenue.

IHIT assumed conduct of the investigation, and is working in close partnership with the Burnaby RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) and the BC Coroners Service.

The investigation is in its early stages; however, investigators have confirmed the burnt vehicle is the suspect vehicle involved in the shooting.

Investigators are currently interviewing several witnesses, collecting evidence and canvassing for video. IHIT said investigators are working diligently to identify all parties involved.

Homicide investigators are looking for witnesses or anyone with dashcam video or CCTV in the area of McKay Avenue and Kingsborough Street, as well as in the area of Kingsway and Inman Avenue, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., on November 5.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.