Intended target of shooting that killed an innocent teen was low-level drug dealer: reports

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – While it was a stray bullet that killed an innocent teenager from Coquitlam, the other victim of Saturday night’s shooting in Vancouver was apparently a marked man.

A total of three people were hurt. A 15-year-old boy from Coquitlam who was in a passing car was caught in the crossfire. He died yesterday after he was put on life support.

Another man received minor injuries. Police say he was not a target of the shooting.

A 23-year-old armed man who was involved in the gunfire has died. He is being described as a low-level drug dealer.

Kevin Whiteside has a history of illegal activity. The Province newspaper reports he had spent a year in jail for assault with a weapon and drug trafficking and had also been convicted in break and enter.

He was banned from owning firearms for life. Whiteside had spent another three months in jail for breaking that court order.

Investigators are still hunting for a suspect or suspects in Saturday’s shooting.

Adam Palmer, Chief Constable for the VPD says it is rare in Vancouver for an innocent victim like the Coquitlam teen to be caught up in a shooting. “The events of Saturday night were reckless, were reprehensible and there’s no justification for this type of senseless violence in our city.”

“They were having a normal Saturday night evening out with family and now they are grieving for their son,” says Palmer.

Police say they are heartbroken and are doing everything they can to seek justice for the boy’s family. There are 50 officers working on the case.

Investigators are still looking for witnesses and are urging anyone who was in the area on Saturday night to call the homicide team at 604-717-2500.

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