One man killed, another taken to hospital in targeted North Vancouver shooting

NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — One man was killed and another taken to hospital after they were shot while sitting in a vehicle at a home in the central Lonsdale area of North Vancouver late Wednesday.

The deceased is Ali Reza Serri, 43, of Vancouver, according to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

“Both victims are known to police and this is believed to be a targeted event,” said Sgt. Frank Jang, with IHIT in a news release Thursday evening.

“Ali is described by his family as a good person who had a very good heart. We will work tirelessly to find answers for them. This could have resulted in a double homicide and residents in the neighbourhood were put at risk as well. Finding the shooter and potentially others who were complicit in this crime will be the goal of our concerted effort.”

Anyone with dash cam footage who was driving in the area of St. Andrews Avenue and East 17 Street — as well as the Second Narrow and Lions Gate bridges — around 11 p.m. on Sept. 30, is urged to contact IHIT immediately.

Photos of 43yo Alireza Serri who was shot and killed last night around 11pm inside a vehicle near St Andrews Ave and East 17 St in #NorthVanBC. Call #IHIT with info and/or dash cam video. pic.twitter.com/gxU7UikzzV

— IHIT (@HomicideTeam) October 2, 2020

A man with the same name as Serri was charged last year with two dozen offences linked to a large fraud investigation in West Vancouver. That man, born in 1977, also has several other changes — mainly traffic violations — listed by B.C. Court Services.

IHIT is not releasing the name of the person who was taken to hospital with injuries for privacy and safety reasons, but said he is also from Vancouver.

The second man has been released from hospital and is expected to recover from his injuries.

Earlier Thursday, Jang said investigators were still trying to determine if the incident was gang-related.

“Now, there are early indications that reveal that both males may have had gang affiliations,” he added.

Neighbors say they heard what sounded like gunfire last night after 11pm near 17th and St Andrews in #NorthVan. Still a large police presence early this morning. pic.twitter.com/Yhae75jkMJ

— Mike Lloyd (@llikemoyd) October 1, 2020

Investigators are now asking anyone with dash-camera recordings from the area, including the Lions Gate and Second Narrows bridges, to contact IHIT or RCMP.

Neither man lived at the home where the shootings took place in a rear lane, just before 11 p.m.

“We’re still trying to determine exactly why they were here, who they were meeting with,” Jang said.

“We believe a shooter approached them while they were sitting in the vehicle, opened fire and shot them. One man die one, man survived,” he added.

Part of the roundabout at 18th St and St. Andrews cordoned off as well as an alleyway and a home on 17th St. It seems the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is here. There are reports one person was taken to the hospital. Police have not made any statement yet. pic.twitter.com/Njp5Ykx5sw

— Mike Lloyd (@llikemoyd) October 1, 2020

“This person needs to be found, needs to be brought in, needs to be held to account. And we’re also open to the fact that this may involve more than one person, that there’s others that could be complicit in this.”

RCMP Sgt. Peter DeVries said one of the responding officers provided life-saving medical assistance to Serri.

Neighbours heard several shots, followed by the sound of sirens around 11 p.m. in the area of East 17th Street, between St. Andrews and St. Georges avenues.

Witnesses or those with dashcam footage are being asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551- IHIT (4448), or email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

One man was killed and another taken to hospital after they were shot while sitting in a vehicle at a home in the central Lonsdale area of North Vancouver late Wednesday. https://t.co/K9oD0VRmIc pic.twitter.com/GvqCUZMHJh

— CityNews 1130 Vancouver (Inactive) (@news1130) October 2, 2020