Mounties are looking for tips into who shot and killed a 35-year-old man downtown Chilliwack on Sunday.
The male victim of the city’s latest homicide was Jose Martin Torres, who was known to police.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) believe the murder was targeted although officers are yet to determine a motive.
“This was a brazen shooting in a residential neighbourhood,” said IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Frank Jang. “We urge anyone with information regarding this shooting to contact police.”
It was just before 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 3 when the Chilliwack RCMP received a report of the shooting in the 9500-block of Williams Street.
Emergency first responders transported the male to hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.
A resident in the area says there was the sound of a gunshot early in the morning, followed by a car speeding off.
While the shooting comes as the latest in a series of targeted shootings in the Lower Mainland, there is no information to link the Chilliwack homicide with any other recent acts.
READ: An 18-year-old man shot and killed in Abbotsford in what police described as a targeted attack
READ: Early Friday morning two people were shot dead in Langley
By Tuesday morning, police were still at the Williams house, which is located just around the corner from Chilliwack secondary school.
IHIT deployed to homicide in 9500 block of Williams Street in Chilliwack. Btb targeted. Investigation in early stages. Call IHIT w info.
— IHIT (@HomicideTeam) September 3, 2017
Torres has a number of criminal convictions, according to Court Services Online, although none in recent years.
Friends of the 35-year-old remembered Torres with comments on his Facebook page.
“Rest in Paradise Jose Torres,” read one. “So heartbreaking to hear this news. See you on the other side bud.”
Another: “The world is a lesser place without you, You will be deeply missed & always remembered. Love You Bro.”
IHIT is planning to provide an update at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 5 on both the Chilliwack and the Langley homicides.
Media availability for Langley / Chilliwack homicides @330pm today @BC RCMP HQ, 14200 Green Timbers Way, Surrey. Cpl Frank Jang is MRO.
— IHIT (@HomicideTeam) September 5, 2017
Anyone with any information about the Chilliwack shooting is asked to call the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or, if they wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
