Police are investigating after a 19-year-old was shot to death in East Vancouver Friday night.
The murder of Vancouver resident Amar Najat Jalal appears to be a targeted incident, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said in a news release issued Saturday afternoon, Dec. 12.
Officers responded to the scene at East 5th Avenue and Cassiar Street after witnesses reported shots fired just after 8 p.m. on Dec. 11. First responders found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds in the middle of the intersection, police say.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services and paramedics' efforts to revive Jalal proved unsuccessful. Police say the 19-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene
This marks the city's 18th homicide of the year.
Police also discovered a grey pick-up truck "fully engulfed in flames in the north lane of East 5th Avenue, just around the corner from where the victim’s body was found," said VPD Const. Tania Visintin in the release. “Preliminary evidence indicates this vehicle could be connected to the shooting.”
Police say they do not have any concerns for public safety following the incident.
The incident comes exactly one week after a 19-year-old Burnaby man was killed in a stabbing in the same neighbourhood. Thomas Simon was pronounced dead in hospital after police found him suffering from stab wounds at North Templeton Drive and Powell Street just before 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, in what was the city's 17th homicide of the year. Police say they believe Simon's murder was a targeted incident, as well.
The VPD asks anyone with information about the shooting or anyone who may have captured dash cam footage near East 5th Ave. and Cassiar St. between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Dec. 11 to get in touch with homicide detectives at 604-717-2500, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
