THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) on Monday identified the homicide victim in Sunday’s shooting in Burnaby as 28-year-old Julian Johnson and requested public assistance to further its ongoing investigation.
Johnson was known to police and his homicide is believed to be a targeted incident that is linked to the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict, IHIT said.
On January 19 at around 6:30 p.m., Burnaby RCMP responded to reports of a shooting at the Chevron gas station at 4487 Canada Way. A man, now identified as Johnson, was found at the scene with gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
A black Nissan Rogue was identified as a suspect vehicle from the gas station and was last seen eastbound on Highway 1. Later in the evening, the Langley RCMP received a call of a vehicle fire in the area of 206A Street and 73B Avenue. The burnt vehicle is believed to be the Nissan Rogue from the earlier shooting in Burnaby.
IHIT is working closely with the Burnaby RCMP, the Langley RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services and the B.C. Coroners Service to gather evidence. An extensive neighbourhood canvass for video surveillance footage and witnesses is underway in both Burnaby and Langley. IHIT is asking for dash cam video from anyone who was travelling in the following locations and time periods:
* Highway 1 between 6:30 and 7 p.m.
* Area of 206A Street and 73B Avenue in Langley between 9:15 and 10 p.m.
“This was a brazen shooting in a public place and we are relieved no one else was hurt,” said IHIT Sgt. Frank Jang. “Significant progress is being made in these early stages. Our investigators are pursuing several leads and we need everyone with information to contact us so we can maintain the momentum on this fast-moving investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551- IHIT (4448), or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).