Young murder victim had apparent links to gangs, drug trade

Vancouver police investigate a murder in the 2400-block of Ancaster Street on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013. (CTV)

The young man found shot to death in a quiet south Vancouver neighbourhood Thursday night had apparent gang ties and links to the drug trade.

Vancouver police have identified the victim as 20-year-old Burnaby resident Xin Shi “Steven” Dong.

Dong’s body was found between two homes on Ancaster Crescent, only a few blocks away from Fraserview Golf Course.

Const. Brian Montague said Dong was known to police, and investigators believe the murder is targeted.

Although police said none of the neighbours heard gunfire before the body was found, one area resident told CTV News he heard about five gunshots ring out the evening before.

“Then we look around and nothing happened so we didn't see anything strange and no other unusual activity,” the neighbour who didn't want to be identified said.

The death marks Vancouver’s sixth murder of 2013.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Vancouver Police Major Crimes Section or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.