A 19-year-old man was killed in a targeted shooting in Burnaby on Wednesday night, and homicide investigators have confirmed he was suspected of having ties to the drug trade. Connor Sheriff was shot just after 6:30 p.m. in a parking lot outside the Station Square mall at McKay Avenue and Kingsborough Street, adjacent to the Metropolis at Metrotown mall.

Sgt. Freda Fong of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) told reporters that despite immediate life-saving efforts, Sheriff did not survive his injuries. The shooting occurred in a busy area of Burnaby, with surrounding businesses including a Best Buy, Dollarama, Structube furniture store, a medical clinic, and nearby condo towers, highlighting the brazen nature of the attack.

Shortly after the shooting, police responded to a vehicle fire near Kingsway and Inman Avenue, on the edge of Central Park — a hallmark often associated with gang-related slayings in British Columbia. Sgt. Fong confirmed that investigators have linked the burnt vehicle to the suspect involved in the shooting. “The investigation is in its early stages. However, investigators have confirmed the burnt vehicle is the suspect vehicle involved in the shooting,” she said.

Sgt. Fong described the incident as “a targeted and brazen shooting in a high-traffic area,” adding that “those involved displayed a complete disregard for public safety.” While Sheriff was known to police and is believed to have connections to the drug trade, records indicate that he had no criminal charges or convictions in B.C., according to online court databases.

The IHIT has begun a detailed investigation, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and canvassing the area for security footage and other leads. Sgt. Fong emphasized the importance of community cooperation, asking anyone with information or video footage to come forward. Specifically, investigators are seeking dashcam or security video from both the McKay Avenue and Kingsborough Street area, as well as the Kingsway and Inman Avenue location, during the window between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The shooting underscores ongoing concerns about gang-related violence in the Lower Mainland and the risks posed to public safety in busy urban areas. Analysts note that targeted attacks like this often involve premeditated planning and can escalate tensions among criminal networks, particularly when vehicles are set on fire to destroy evidence — a tactic frequently seen in B.C. gangland incidents.

Community members and shoppers near Station Square expressed shock at the violence. The incident took place during early evening hours, when foot traffic is typically high, raising concerns about the potential for bystanders to be caught in harm’s way. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging anyone with information to contact IHIT immediately.

As the investigation continues, police stress that they are pursuing all available leads and reviewing surveillance footage from multiple angles to identify and apprehend the suspect. With gang-related shootings increasingly impacting public spaces, law enforcement officials highlight the importance of witness cooperation and community vigilance to ensure public safety and hold those responsible accountable.