Innocent teen killed during Vancouver shooting laid to rest today

COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) – Mourners, family members and friends are gathering today to lay to rest a 15-year-old boy who was caught in the crossfire of a shooting in Vancouver earlier this month.

Alfred Wong was one of three people hit by bullets on Jan. 13th around Broadway and Ontario Street. He was riding in a car with his parents and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time when gunfire broke out. After being placed on life support, he died of his injuries two days later.

Twenty-three-year-old Kevin Whiteside was the intended target of the shooting — he also died, while another man was grazed by a bullet. Whiteside was believed to be a low-level drug dealer.

It’s been two weeks since the incident and police are continuing to appeal for any information that could lead to an arrest in this double homicide.

“We have collected and reviewed video and determined that there are people out there we still need to talk to,” says VPD Constable Jason Doucette. “In particular, our detectives are looking to speak with anyone who was at the Indochine Kitchen + Bar around the time of the shooting.”

Last Saturday, police took the unusual step of setting up their Mobile Command Centre near the epicentre of the shooting in hopes anyone who may have seen or heard anything came forward to speak to a detective. They haven’t said how many tips the force may have received.

They’ve also been pleading for any dashcam video from other drivers who may have caught any of the violence.

Anyone with information is asked to call the VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604.717.2500.

‘A polite, hard-working man’

Wong has been described by friends and coaches as a kind, young man.

He attended Pinetree Secondary in Coquitlam and was a member of the Hyack Swim Club for several years. Head Coach, Frici Laszlo, says Wong formed strong bonds with his teammates. “He was a very nice boy, a good guy,” adds Laszlo. “We’re always waiting any miracle, but there is no miracle.”

Laszlo says Wong wasn’t just a competitive swimmer, he was also a volunteer lifeguard at another pool.

Wilfred Wong, Alfred’s older brother, also made a brief statement on behalf of their family. “The 15 years we had with Alfred were far too short, but we know Alfred is now in heaven with God. My parents and I will always love him dearly and his death will leave a void in our hearts. The years that he had with us will impact our family forever.”

Two scholarships have been set up in Wong’s honour. The first one is the Alfred YF Wong Memorial Scholarship, in conjunction with School District 43, to help those who “want to pursue the same dreams and goals as Alfred did.” The second one is the Alfred YF Wong Memorial Scholarship associated with the Hyack Swim Club.

Wong’s pastor had said the teen wanted to be an electrical engineer.

Today’s ceremony is being held at the Coquitlam Alliance Church at 2601 Spuraway Avenue.

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