Burnaby murder victim was likely targeted, IHIT says

CTV Vancouver: Suspect on loose after shooting Aladdin Ramadan, 20, was found shot to death at around 10:30 Wednesday night near Brentwood Mall.

Homicide investigators say a young man found shot to death near Brentwood Mall in Burnaby was likely the victim of a targeted murder.

Officers found the body of Aladdin Ramadan, 20, on the ground in front of a black Infiniti G37 near the intersection of Lougheed Highway and Rosser Avenue at around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Residents in nearby condo buildings reported hearing three shots fired: two in quick succession followed by a third seconds later.

“It was really nearby, it was really loud,” said Kyle Harrison. “Knowing that I was that close, that’s pretty scary.”

After shots rang out, three men were seen driving away in a smaller silver or blue compact vehicle, according to investigators.

The driver of the vehicle is described as a clean-cut Persian man wearing dark clothing with short hair that is shaved on the sides. Two other suspects were described as being six-feet-tall and muscular, and were also wearing dark clothing, police said.

The victim doesn’t have a criminal record but the shooting does appear to be targeted, according to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, which has taken over the case. They’re now trying to establish a motive for the killing.

Officers could be seen placing as many as 20 evidence markers at the scene. Police are also poring over security footage from a nearby construction site that may have captured the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT tipline at 1-877-551-4448 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.