The founder of the Independent Soldiers gang has been gunned down in Port Moody Monday afternoon.

 

Police investigators are at the scene of a Monday afternoon shooting near St. John's and Queens Streets in Port Moody.

Photograph by: Ian Lindsay , PNG

 

Vancouver Police are investigating the daylight shooting, which occurred just before 4:45 p.m. near St. John’s and Queens Streets, a busy corner bordered by a restaurant, a coffee shop and other businesses.

Police have not named the victim, but a Province source identified him as Randy Naicker, one of the founders of the Independent Soldiers gang.

"The early indication is that he was known to police and this was a targeted gang-related shooting," Const. Lindsey Houghton told reporters at the scene.

Naicker had previously been the target of a failed 2009 hit that happened at a Vancouver halfway house where he was residing. Another man, Rajinder Singh Soomel, who was out on parole, was killed.

Naicker was convicted in a 2005 drug-related kidnapping. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots near the intersection and seeing a man fleeing down an alleyway, away from the crime scene. A small black handgun was found by police in a nearby alley.

Vancouver Police spokesman Const. Lindsey Houghton said police do not have firm details on a suspect, but confirm a gun was found on scene.

Early Monday evening, a body can be seen covered by a white sheet, red-soled shoes visible. Next to the body, a grey Infiniti SUV parked on the east side of St. John's Street sat with its driver's side door open, the window shattered.

The gangland slaying is the second murder this year in Port Moody.

Alleged gang member Gurbinder Singh Toor, 35, was shot outside the Port Moody Recreational Centre on May 31 around 9:30 p.m. According to witness reports, about 10 shots were heard and a dark SUV was seen driving away. Toor was rushed to hospital but died later that evening.

Const. Lindsey Houghton confirmed Toor was associated with the Dhak/Duhre group.

Monday's shooting occurred with dozens of innocent bystanders in the area, said Houghton.

"This is extremely concerning and distressing for everyone in society," he said. "These crimes show an absolute disregard for the safety for human life."

Investigators will be looking into possible links to the May 31 shooting, which is also being investigated by the Vancouver Police homicide squad.

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