A known gang member has been shot dead outside the main terminal of Vancouver International Airport this week.
The Indian-Canadian was shot by suspected rival gang members. They were later involved in a shooting with police as they fled the scene.
According to the Vancouver Sun, the victim was 28-year-old Karman Singh. He had a history of working with gangs in the region.
Homicide officer Frank Jang said the killing was linked to an "ongoing gang conflict." Singh reportedly had ties to Jimi Sandhu - a known gang member deported to India in 2016.
Richmond Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the murder was in daylight and with a lot of witnesses. Officials said gangs operating in the area were now bolder and are more willing to take things "to another level."
The police caught the getaway vehicle. The suspects fired on the police. No officers were hurt but the suspects escaped. The getaway vehicle was later found set on fire.
"The airport is open and safe for airport workers and those who need to travel," airport officials said in a statement released following the incident.
Gang violence in Vancouver has been on the rise. Over the past three weeks, four people have been killed in gang-related incidents. On April 17, gang member Harb Dhaliwal was gunned down outside a restaurant. According to officials, the gangs have a strong Indian-Canadian presence. Officials described the recent shootings as the most brazen crimes in Metro Vancouver.
